The Department of Cardiovascular Medicine of the Faculty of Medicine of Universitas Sumatera Utara, in collaboration with Perhimpunan Dokter Spesialis Kardiovascular Indonesia (PERKI) of North Sumatera, Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) of North Sumatera, Haji Adam Malik Central General Hospital (RSUP) Medan, Integrated Heart Center, and the Indonesian Heart Foundation, held social service activities in several places in North Sumatera.

The activities carried out are:

  • Examine TB, weight, and electrocardiogram (ECG) by interpreting ECG readings by trained staff.
  • Laboratory examinations in the form of blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
  • Carotid Doppler examination by a cardiologist and vascular specialist.
  • Heart health consultation by a Cardiologist and Vascular Specialist.
  • Counseling activity conducted by a Cardiologist and Vascular Specialist.

This activity took the theme "CARDIOMETABOLIC DISEASE SCREENING AND PROMOTION IN MEDAN CITY," which was held in several places in Medan City and its vicinities, namely at the Medan City Mayor's Office on November 29, 2022, Pelindo Belawan Office on January 24, 2023, North Sumatra Provincial Government Office on October 2, 2022, Telkom Medan Office on February 10, 2023, Langkat Regency on August 13 and 27, 2022, Deli Serdang Regency on March 16, 2023, and Namorambe District on May 13, 2023. The event involved several institutions, including the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine of the Faculty of Medicine of USU, PERKI, and Universitas Sumatera Utara.

Cardiovascular disease in Indonesia is a complex issue. It can occur in the community due to a combination of a sedentary lifestyle or due to infections of the heart, which are still highly prevalent in developing countries such as Indonesia. Based on a doctor's diagnosis, the prevalence of coronary heart disease in Indonesia in 2013 was 0.5% or an estimated 883,447 people, while based on a doctor's diagnosis/symptoms, it was 1.5% or an estimated 2,650,340 people. Based on the doctor's diagnosis, the highest estimated number of patients with coronary heart disease was in West Java Province, with 160,812 people (0.5%).

The COVID-19 pandemic that has hit the world and Indonesia since March 2020 is also believed to have played a role in increasing the incidence of cardiometabolic diseases. Self-isolation, limited space for movement, and restrictions on gathering, one of the strategies in preventing COVID-19 transmission, turn out to be a double-edged sword, where physical activity and exercise that can reduce the incidence of cardiometabolic diseases are inhibited. This is why there has been an increase in cardiometabolic cases during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of January 2023, the preventive program in the cardiometabolic field has been implemented 5 times in Langkat Regency and Medan City. The total samples obtained were 252 children and 473 adults. We plan to expand the cardiometabolic preventive program to more communities.

The community service activity of Cardiometabolic Disease Screening and Promotion in Medan City was conducted by the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine of Universitas Sumatera Utara and PERKI. It took place in a series of 7 events.

Several participants attended the event, some of whom were the Head of the Cardiovascular Medicine Department of the Faculty of Medicine of Universitas Sumatera, cardiologists and vascular specialists, members of the Cardiology Assistant Group of the Cardiovascular Medicine Department of the Faculty of Medicine of Universitas Sumatera Utara, as well as participants in ECG and Cardiovascular Health Examinations, has successfully provided counseling and health services to the community who participated in this event. The community service team conducted ECG, laboratory tests, and cardiovascular health examination activities.

The event also provided information about heart disease in modern times and conducted heart disease risk screening for adults. This activity has met the target to be achieved where the community has more awareness of maintaining their health, taking routine medication, and maintaining a healthy diet. Participants also received a clear explanation of the problems of heart disease, hypertension, and heart failure and how to prevent the occurrence of these heart diseases in the community.

The event began with patient data collection by filling out forms provided by the committee, and people who had registered came to the place and date that had been set. Continued with the examination of weight, TB, blood sugar and carotid doppler on the registered participants, followed by consultation on heart disease problems. This activity was carried out while adhering to health protocols.

Participants registered through the forms prepared by the committee, and their response to the event was quite good. The community reached a total of 625 people. The participants comprised 177 men (28.4%) and 448 women (71.6%). Participants ranged in age from 21 to 75. This shows a good response from the community, which is in need of health check-ups in the Cardiovascular area.

From the community service activities that we have carried out, the targeted outcome is a scientific publication in a national journal. The scientific publication is still in the process of being published. A summary of these activities has also been published in online mass media. Documentation of the activities has been uploaded as a video on social media.