Director Health Services Kashmir Dr Samir Mattoo today said that heart diseases are on increase in Kashmir and doctors in both rural and urban areas would be trained in latest diagnostic techniques and treatment procedures to save precious lives. Dr Mattoo was speaking at a training programme ‘Medicine Update on Myocardial Infarction’ held for medicos at Regional Institute of Health Dhobiwan. Renowned cardiologist Prof Khurshid Iqbal and doctors from different districts were present during the programme .The Director said that due to varied reasons like hypertension, stressful life, lack of exercise etc , heart diseases are on an increase and it is important to impart training to the doctors to save patients with Myocardial Infarction condition in crucial first few hours of their admission to hospital.The speakers on the occasion said that 5-10% of patients with chest symptoms visit OPDs every year and there is a bright chance to properly diagnose and treat them at the initial stage. The timely intervention by doctors has already saved dozens of patients at health centres in Ganderbal, Bijbehara and Amarnath base camps.The doctors while speaking about the disease and its ramifications highlighted the need to improve, organise and streamline cardiac care at sub district and district level hospitals.A novel initiative SAVE HEART INITIATIVE was also launched at the event which will enable providing training, guidance and professional help to all doctors at the remotest places of the valley. The initiative aims to connect doctors to the cardiac care experts at the apex institutes of the state.