World Heart Federation: Heart Beat May/June/July 2009

MAY/JUNE/JULY 2009

Note: Heart Beat is now published quarterly

HIGHLIGHTS

Promoting healthy lifestyles: children first

More than half of all obese adults live in low- and middle-income countries, but health promotion in these areas has traditionally focused on under-nutrition alone. The World Heart Federation organized a two-day workshop, which ran from 15–16 June, for members and partners who are working to promote healthy lifestyles among children. Participants came to Geneva from around the world to share their experiences and knowledge, which the World Heart Federation will distil into a toolkit of resources to help our members develop effective programmes.

World Congress of Cardiology Scientific Sessions, Beijing, China, 6-19 June 2010: Submit your abstract and register online

The World Congress of Cardiology Scientific Sessions, taking place in Beijing, China from 16-19 June 2010, has launched its “Call for abstracts”. Be at the heart of the congress: submit your abstract today and seize the opportunity to present your research and share science with thousands of cardiologists, members of heart foundations and health professionals. You can also register online and benefit from the early-bird registration fee.

IN THIS ISSUE

Memorial Service for Philip Poole-Wilson, World Heart Federation President 2003-2005

A Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Philip Poole-Wilson took place on Thursday, 4 June, at St. Luke’s Church, Chelsea, London.

World Heart Day 2009: “Work with Heart”

World Heart Day, being celebrated on 27 September 2009, is calling on people to “Work with Heart”: take action in the workplace to improve health and productivity and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Currently, one-third of the global workforce suffers from preventable diseases and by 2025 the burden of such diseases is expected to increase by 25%. This does not include the expected impact of the economic downturn on employees’ mental and physical health, which is why it is so important for companies to continue investing in employee health. Are you running a workplace wellness programme? If so, please tell us about it by completing the online survey.

Unilever and the World Heart Federation renew their partnership and launch "Heart Age" tool

On 9 June 2009, Unilever and the World Heart Federation announced the renewal of their partnership and a joint initiative to promote awareness of Heart Age - a new, personally motivating way of expressing an individual’s risk of developing heart disease and stroke.

Rheumatic heart disease control: Working to keep Brazilian children healthy

In Brazil, rheumatic heart disease still kills or disables thousands of children and young adults. “Brazilian cardiologists and cardiac surgeons see the results of rheumatic fever regularly” said Dr Rui Ramos, of the Brazilian Heart Foundation. “It is all the more tragic when you know that it is a preventable disease that has been eliminated in many parts of the world.”

Medtronic "charity challenge" beating rheumatic heart disease!

Medtronic has launched a promotion to encourage their staff and medical community partners to get running to beat rheumatic heart disease (RHD). The aim is to get people to be more active by putting the Medtronic philosophy of “better together” into practice.

Heart health community celebrates World No Tobacco Day around the world

The World Heart Federation and many of it member organizations joined forces with others committed to health advocacy to celebrate World No Tobacco Day on 30 May 2009. Organized by the World Health Organization Tobacco Free Initiative, the campaign was developed around the slogan “Showing the truth; saving lives.” It called on the public, health professionals, and policymakers to demand that the tobacco industry display pictorial warnings on all tobacco packages.

“Eat for goals!” is now available in English, French, German, Spanish Polish and Russian

“Eat for goals!”: a cook book which encourages young people to be more conscious of living active lifestyles and eating healthily is now available in English, French, German, Spanish Polish and Russian. “Eat for Goals!” was created under the patronage of Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), World Heart Federation and the European Commission.

Taking knowledge back to my home country: Douala, Cameroon nine months after my training in cardiology in Lyon, France - By Dr Dzudie Tamdja Anastase

Dr Dzudie Tamdja Anastase, gives us an insight into the invaluable experience he took back to Cameroon after training made possible through a World Heart Federation Twin Centre’s Fellowship.

Daiichi Sankyo Eli Lilly partnership with the World Heart Federation

Daiichi Sankyo Eli Lilly and Company have entered into a partnership with the World Heart Federation. The focus of which is to jointly raise awareness of the importance of patient adherence to treatment and the associated challenges of adherence in daily life, as well as to develop tools that can assist patients.

17th Asian Pacific Congress of Cardiology held with record attendance

The 17th Asian Pacific Congress of Cardiology was held in Kyoto, Japan, from 20–23 May 2009 with a record high attendance of 2,500 participants, which exceeded all expectations. This was in spite of the flu-related travel concerns. Delegates came from across the entire Asia-Pacific region plus Europe and the United States, and 80% of them were from outside Japan.

“AF AWARE” cardiology groups call for greater awareness and better education for atrial fibrillation

The World Heart Federation, Atrial Fibrillation Association (AFA), Stroke Alliance For Europe (SAFE), and European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) have come together as “AF AWARE” to call upon their peers around the world to raise awareness and understanding of atrial fibrillation and its cardiovascular consequences.

Declaration calling for urgent action by the medical community and governments to address the epidemic of heart disease and diabetes in Africa

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Cardiovascular Journal of Africa they published a special issue reviewing the progress in cardiology in Africa over the last two decades, and issued a Declaration calling for urgent action by the medical community and governments to address the epidemic of heart disease and diabetes facing Africa.

Course in Preventive Cardiology trains students from around the world

The Master of Sciences in Preventive Cardiology course is run by Imperial College, London. One of the students, Dr Aziz Amir from Kabul Aliabad Teaching Hospital, Kabul Medical University stated that “I felt frustrated when I saw Afghan patients with ischaemic heart disease; interventional cardiology is just not an option for most of them and so we are very limited in how much we can help people whose arteries are already blocked. Now I am motivated and have ideas and skills needed to help people not get to this point.”