Three new and modern echocardiograms have been introduced in Mater Dei hospital, Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Ferne announced.

An echocardiogram produces a graphic outline of the heart's movement, helping to identify how one's heart is acting.

Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death globally, with mortality rates estimated to be around 17.9 million lives worldwide each year.

These three newly introduced machines are “state of the art” devices, and are up to date with the very latest of technology.

“The best resource is human resource, but to have the best results you can, you need to have modern apparatus,” Fearne remarked.

“Most deaths are still related to heart diseases. Every year, Mater Dei performs thousands of cardiograms in order to identify them and help in preventing deaths.”