Vascular Disease Prevetion in China


Dr Roland Asmar is Medical Director of The Cardiovascular Institute，Paris，France，and post-President of the French spoken network of hypertension.Prior to this position，he was Associate Professor of Therapy and past president of the Working Group‘Measurement and Evaluation’of the French Society of Hypertension.Dr Asmar is a member of several prestigious international committees and scientific societies. Dr Asmar received his medical degree from Montpellier University.He completed his cardiology and hypertension residencies at Broussais hospital，received diplomas in non invasive investigations and ultrasounds，cardiology and vascular diseases specialist distinction from the French medical board.Dr Asmar developed his clinical research activities in different research units at the INSERM（Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale）,Broussais Hospital and Paris VI-Pierre et Marie Curie University.He received the distinction‘Cardiologist of the Year 2001’in France for his Continuous Medical Education activity.Dr Asmar has published more than 300scientific articles and several books in the area of cardiology.Some of his books have been translated into different languages.He is a consultant and reviewer for several cardiovascular journals，and has led the organization of several national and international scientific committees coordinating clinical trials，and International Consensus Conferences;he is also on the Board of different medical societies.Dr Asmar principal research interests include blood pressure measurements，non invasive evaluation of arterial status and atherosclerosiscardiovascular clinical intervention trials and development of new cardiovascular methods and drug agents.
The 6th Chinese Annual Meeting of Vascular Disease and Arterial Function &The 4rd Asian-Pacific Congress of International Society of Vascular Health have been held in Beijing,in June 26-28,2009.During the conference we had the privilege to interview Professor Asmar, the following is the interview：

Reporter：You are the first recipient of the International Cooperation Award, please tell us about your feelings?
Prof. Roland Asmar：I am very pleased and honored to receive this award and very grateful to the organizers for giving me this award, I cherish this award. In particular, I want to thank my collaborators, there are a long time to me for helping and cooperation with China.I first cooperation with China began 15 years ago in the exchange of medical science. I am very pleased at such an exchange. I thank my collaborators and friends in China, especially Professor Wang, our cooperation has been 4-5 years.

Reporter：As ISVH Chairman, please talk about the meaning and impact of ISVH？
Prof. Roland Asmar： ISVH is very important because vascular disease is not only the Western countries but also China's most important causes of morbidity and mortality.Vascular diseases affect the body organs, such as stroke, myocardial infarction, renal sclerosis, lower extremity arterial disease, it is very important. The purpose of ISVH,the different societies and associations of horizontal linkages, such as atherosclerosis institute, heart disease, vascular disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and so is the horizontal society.The institute of science and public health are important, which aims to research, while reducing disease, vascular disease education on a doctor at the same time public education. Risk factors include hypertension, diabetes, smoking, blood lipids, high cholesterol and so on.

Reporter：Please talk about the early detection of vascular disease, as well as detection methods, Current standards for assessment in France?
Prof. Roland Asmar： Early detection of vascular disease is very important. The concept is now the sooner the better. We should early detect and treat subclinical vascular disease. We now have a variety of ways to detect in clinical and research sub-clinical vascular disease.France has the most commonly used methods of ABI, or ankle-brachial index, measuring simple and easy to implement. Second, there are ultrasonic technology to measure carotid artery intima-media thickness measurement is also very simple. Finally, the pulse wave velocity test is also very common, and the application of increasingly common.These three methods are simple, can be used for detection, prevention and follow-up the patient's treatment and condition.

Reporter：Please talk about morbidity and mortality of hypertension in France, What's the common reason?
Prof. Roland Asmar： France has about sixty million people, of which about 1 million patients with hypertension. Therefore, high blood pressure is a very important public health issue.Our work is aimed at early detection and early treatment of these patients, thus avoiding complications of high blood pressure.This is important, treatment compliance that has made all the patient's blood pressure, high blood pressure lowered to below 140/90 mmHg,these high-risk cardiovascular patients include diabetes, blood pressure dropped below 130/80 mmHg.Detection of cardiovascular risk factors in Western populations is an important issue, because it is the main reason of morbidity and mortality.The main morbidity and mortality in western populations is cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Therefore, detection, treatment and follow-up blood pressure is very important.

Reporter：How about the knowledge of vascular disease in French medical staff?
Prof. Roland Asmar： Detection and prevention is a very important issue.5-10 years ago, we say that half or one third of hypertensive patients do not know if they are suffering from high blood pressure, half or one third of non-compliance with hypertension treatment. So we need for doctors and patients more education.For the doctors, should be given a clear message that blood pressure should be controlled compliance; for patients, should be educated to give information, to make it to participate in their own blood pressure control, follow-up of high blood pressure treatment.We encourage patients to use home blood pressure measurement method of follow-up blood pressure contain the situation. Require doctors and patients pay attention on blood pressure control.

Reporter：How to maintain lifelong health of blood vessels, vascular health, when ahould we begin to do it?
Prof. Roland Asmar:For vascular disease detection, treatment and reversal, we can reverse the abnormal situation, but we should be treated early in order to reverse the abnormalities. If a late stage treatment, it will be difficult to achieve a reversal of abnormalities. Therefore, the treatment should also be the sooner the better.Early treatment is not only refer to drug treatment, but also to lifestyle changes, eat salt, eat less sugar, avoid metabolic syndrome, eat less fat, exercise. Patients, lifestyle changes require long-term process. If lifestyle changes is not enough to control the disease, then the need for drug treatment. When given to patients with drug therapy, drug treatment should also be his note will last a very long time.It is useless for a patient withdrawal medication after 2 months therapy.

Reporter：Please talk about your feelings on this conference?
Prof. Roland Asmar:The conference is a high standard of scientific conferences, distinguished experts and speakers from different countries, such as the United States, Japan, Korea, France, Europe and China. Scientific level is very high. The audience are very seriously, and the exchange information of the meeting has been absorbed by the audience.

Reporter：Please tell us your opinion about Chinese program on early detection of vascular disease?
Prof. Roland Asmar:15 years ago, China did not prevent the vascular disease.Professor Hongyu Wang from about six years ago and began vascular disease detection and prevention program, has achieved very good results. ISVH This year is the fourth annual meeting of China's disease control but it is also the sixth annual meeting of China.Professor Wang not only in Beijing, but also throughout the country carried out to promote not only the promotion of the project, but also the promotion of the study. Prof. Wang's work is very satisfactory, I express my sincere congratulations to him.
（2009.6.27）