September 29 marks World Heart Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about heart health and accelerating actions to prevent, detect, and manage cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

According to the World Health Organization, CVDs claim an estimated 17.9 million lives each year.

In China, approximately 330 million people live with CVDs, with the prevalence rates of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes accounting for 27.5 percent, 35.6 percent and 11.9 percent, respectively, as reported in a launching ceremony jointly sponsored by China's National Health Commission (NHC) and All-China Journalists Association held in April.

While CVDs typically manifest in middle age and older adulthood, there has been an increasing prevalence in younger age groups in recent decades.

The incidence rate of cardiac arrest in the country is 97.1 per 100,000 people annually, representing an upward trend compared to a decade ago. However, only 17 percent of the cases received cardiopulmonary resuscitation, as indicated in a report released by the NHC in April.

Lifestyle factors such as staying up late, smoking, excessive drinking, and long-term, sustained, excessive exercise can contribute to cardiovascular system problems, as noted by Yang Weixian, a member of China's National Cardiovascular Disease Expert Committee, in an interview with China Media Group.

Significant progress has been made in the treatment of CVDs both domestically and internationally in recent years.

In February, experts at the Shenzhen branch of Fuwai Hospital, under the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, successfully conducted a completely robot-assisted coronary angiography. They utilized a surgical robot capable of performing both imaging and interventional treatment.

Traditional vascular interventional surgery faces challenges like a shortage of professional doctors and high radiation risks. The use of surgical robots helps protect doctors from radiation and enhances operation accuracy, significantly reducing the probability of postoperative complications.

A Japanese study this year revealed that inhaling a certain amount of hydrogen gas after cardiac arrest reduces mortality and brain injury.