HEARTWARMING INITIATIVE
CHERISH・CARE
The purpose of the “Heartwarming Initiative” that introduced by the Hong Kong Asia Heart Centre is to improve the heart health of the general public. We strongly believe that by cherishing and caring for the people around us, heart disease can be prevented or detected earlier and thus more lives can be saved. The initiative is divided into four parts, namely, Hospital’s Surgeries, Rehabilitation Support, Entering the Community, and Heart Examination, to care about the heart health of the general public in different perspectives.
HOSPITAL INTERVENTION
Since February 2020, in response to the pandemic of coronavirus, public hospitals have suspended non-emergency surgical services. In order to alleviate the queuing problem of the cardiology department of public hospitals, the Hong Kong Asian Heart Center and Canossa Hospital jointly launched the “Heartwarming Initiative ” package for patients who are waiting for the coronary artery stenting operation in the HA with a special price.
The feedbacks have been very positive since the launch of campaign; more than 1000 patients enrolled into the campaign and finished coronary artery stenting. Therefore, Hong Kong Asia Heart Centre and Canossa Hospital are continuing the campaign to allow more patients to control their budgets precisely before hospital admission.
HEART EXAMINATION
A coronary CT angiogram (CCTA) is a comprehensive and non-invasive imaging test to check if the arteries in your heart are narrowed or blocked and evaluate their calcification’s level. Cardiologists refer to the test result to assess whether a PCI procedure is needed for a patient or not. For people who are at high risk for developing coronary disease, i.e., cigarette smokers, those with genetic risk, high cholesterol levels, hypertension, or diabetes); who have uncertain results with treadmill or other tests, or who have symptoms suspicious of coronary disease should consider taking a CCTA for diagnosis.
REHABILITATION SUPPORT
Rehabilitation support section includes free provision of the latest medical and health information, and various health promotion activities to make the public better understand the importance of having a healthy heart. The set-up of Heartwarming Club is to let more people, especially the patients and survivors of heart diseases, as well as their relatives and friends to learn more about heart health. Members will have opportunities to exchange health knowledge with healthcare professionals directly. Medical staff will also contact survivors from time to time to check on their health conditions, provide follow-up and support when necessary.
ENTERING THE COMMUNITY
We hope to screen the “invisible” elderly patients who have not been diagnosed with heart problem sin the community through the Heart-warming Initiative. Therefore, we launched the first free community health check program in Hong Kong that uses cardiac ultrasound. The examination is mainly for the three major heart problems of the elderly over the age of 65, including coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and valvular heart disease. The items include blood sugar, blood pressure, blood lipids, heart rate, heart valve problems, etc. After the free health check, a free consultation will also be provided by a cardiologist so as to help early patients to arrange a referral or specialist treatment to avoid deterioration of their conditions.