The Hellenic Cardiological Society, established in Athens on September 7th, 1948, and registered with the Athens Civil Courts in 1950, has been closely related to the history of Cardiology in Greece. The HCS is a scientific, non- profit making association. Initially it had 28 members but the number since has risen to 2.500 cardiologists.
Aiming in the enlightment and development of cardiology in Greece, actively involved in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and also striving for the improvement of scientific and professional conditions of its members, the HCS has been organizing activities, actions and events, taking place throughout the year and all over Greece, having as a basic element the high scientific and interpersonal level of science.
The Annual Panhellenic Cardiological Congress, held during wintertime, strongly focuses in the exchange of scientific information and opinions, encouraging personal contacts of Greek cardiologists, during a 3-day period.
Additionally, the Annual Seminar of the Working Groups of the HCS, held in February or March, provides a more focused interchange of scientific works, since proceedings are based on the work of the 19 Working Groups of the HCS, namely: WG of Invasive and Interventional Cardiology,
WG on Exercise Testing, Exercise Physiology and Cardiac Rehabilitation,
WG on Pacing and Electrophysiology,
WG on Echocardiography,
WG on Heart Failure,
WG on Epidemiology, Prevention and Metabolic Syndrome,
WG on Nuclear Cardiology,
WG on Congenital Heart Disease in Adults,
WG on Arterial Hypertension and the Heart,
WG on Cardiovascular MRI and Computed Tomography,
WG on the Aorta and Peripheral Vessels,
WG on Clinical Pharmacology of Cardiovascular Drugs,
WG on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation,
WG on Cardiac Surgery,
WG on Basic Research in Cardiology and Heritable Cardiac Disease,
WG on Acute Ischemic Syndromes and Intensive Care,
WG on Quality of Life,
WG on Valvular Heart Disease and,
WG on Cardiac Nursing
These Groups organizing registries in each field also meet on an individual basis, in order to explore the endless possibilities of fostering the development of these specific segments of cardiology and providing the adequate guidelines.
For the HCS, Greece is divided in Sections in order to get better feedback of information on the status of cardiology all over the area of Greece. Seven sections (Section of Thessaly, Section of Central and West Macedonia, Section of East Macedonia and Thrace, Section of Epirus, Section of Attica and east Aegean Islands, Section of Peloponese, Section of Crete) have been developed each focusing in a specific area of the country, meeting 4-5 times each year, discussing the current situation, updates, developments and future plans. An upcoming trend is for the cooperation of sections and working groups in joint meetings of a larger size.
Furthermore, in order to provide more in depth knowledge combined with updates on current events, the HCS has organized several publications on a bimonthly or quarterly basis. The Hellenic Journal of Cardiology published every two months and the Newsletter of the HCS, published every 3 months.
The Hellenic Journal of Cardiology requires a subscription (for non-members of the HCS) whereas the Newsletter is mailed for free.
Of primary importance in the provision of knowledge and education is the operation of the Electronic Library, which is accessible, either by a visit to the Hellenic Heart House or by visiting the site of hcs at http://www.hcs.gr/
Several other activities are fostered by the HCS, intending in the improvement of education and motivation of gifted cardiologists. Funding of cardiological research and the economic support of young cardiologists for research activities and education, take place though the provision of Grants (5 each year). More precisely,the candidates should be young cardiologists under 40 years old.
All applications should be addressed to the HCS office before 30 June every year.
The Scientific Committee for Education Grants examines all applications and the candidates are called for an interview.
The HCS also has created an Intramural Training Fellowship Program for young cardiologists under 40 years old, who will follow specialized training in research and clinical activities in distinguishing Greek Centres of Cardiology. The awards will be published every year during the Annual National Congress of the Society.
The HCS is closely related to the European Society of Cardiology. One could say the ESC acts as a guideline for the HCS. The HCS may adopt several of the ideas and activities of the ESC, however we should stress at this point that such ideas and actions are actively adjusted to the Greek reality and unique conditions of the Greek cardiologists. Cooperation between the ESC and the HCS is always welcomed and communication channels between these two organizations are always wide open from the higher levels of authority i.e the Board of Directors to the Working Groups, Fellows etc. It is strongly believed that only through close interrelationships between the ESC and the HCS as well as among other National Societies the level and professionalism of Cardiology in Greece as well as in Europe will reach its full potential.
The HCS is managed by a Board of Directors consisting of 9 members namely, the President, Vice-President, Former-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and four members. The Board of Directors, apart from the President and the former president are elected through formal elective procedures (secret-balloting process) in which all members of the HCS take part and these take place every two years, during the procedures of the Annual Panhellenic Cardiological Congress. The President of each Board of Directors is necessarily the Vice president of the previous Board , whereas the Vice president , Treasurer, Secretary and members are officially elected. Several procedure and proceeding details as well as the exact role and responsibilities of each member of the Board can be described in detail in case you would like us to.
The HCS owns a 5 story building in which all the offices of the HCS are located. Each floor has a separate function office, i.e. 3rd floor: Library and Editor’s office, 4th floor: Administration, 5th floor: President’s office and Boardroom (currently the 1st and 2nd floors are rented) and a amphitheatre on the ground floor and two levels of parking spaces.
The HCS constantly seeks new ways and means for the advancement of cardiology in Greece, therefore always seeks the development of new activities that will fulfill its goals and aspirations.
