According to the chair of the Slovenian Association of Cardiologists, Zlatko Fras, this is the first time that the congress is held outside north-western Europe.

Fras sees this as a special recognition of the work of Slovenian cardiologists and a result of the reputation they have in Europe and the world.

The main topic of the congress will be life-long cardiovascular prevention activities, a field where Slovenia is a step ahead of other countries, according to Fras. Some 30 Slovenian experts will take part in the symposiums.

Slovenia's national programme for the prevention of cardiovascular disease is in many ways unique and ahead of other countries, Fras told the STA ahead of the congress.

In the last two decades, cardiovascular mortality in Slovenia decreased by almost 60%, mainly due to prevention, he said.

But despite the significant drop, cardiovascular diseases remain the main cause of death in Slovenia.

In 2015, they caused 40% of all deaths - 48% in women and 33% in men. Since 2009, however, they are no longer the single biggest cause of death in men since they are preceded by tumours.

The European Association of Preventive Cardiology has more than 6,000 members and is a part of the 90,000-member European Society of Cardiology.