HIGHLIGHTSHighlights from the World Congress of Cardiology 2008: overview and statisticsThe World Congress of Cardiology 2008, which took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 18–21 May, was attended by 17’500 participants from over 100 countries, and exceeded all expectations. With the rich mix of scientific sessions on the latest advances in the management of cardiovascular diseases coupled with prevention strategies, the congress strived to fulfil its “From Patients to Populations” theme. By assisting cardiovascular specialists in countries with developing economies, where 80% of mortalities from cardiovascular disease occur, the congress presented the perfect opportunity for the World Heart Federation to meet all the objectives outlined in its mission statement. Programme highlights from the World Congress of Cardiology 2008Organized jointly by the World Heart Federation, the Argentine Society of Cardiology and the Argentine Federation of Cardiology the World Congress of Cardiology gave delegates the opportunity to present and learn about the latest scientific advances and treatments for the management of cardiovascular diseases, as well as to review the preventative approaches for tackling the rising global burden. There were many programme highlights, some of which are presented here. IN THIS ISSUEJanet Voûte steps down as CEO of the World Heart FederationAfter eight years as CEO of the World Heart Federation, Janet Voûte decided to step down from the organization to pursue other opportunities. Janet was pivotal in establishing the World Heart Federation as the leading global nongovernmental organization for the prevention and control of heart disease and stroke. Members workshop: meeting peers and sharing experiences
The members’ workshops are designed to stimulate the exchange of knowledge and allow participants to apply these learnings on a national level to their local society or foundation. Building on the work of others and exploiting opportunities, as well as communicating their own activities has led to the successful implementation of many initiatives including campaigns such as World Heart Day and Go Red for Women, on a global level. The latest workshop took place during the World Congress of Cardiology on 19 May and focused on: Tobacco and Youth and Go Red for Women. CVD Prevention and Control: providing the tools to improve the quality of submissions to scientific journals
Providing high-quality scientific publishing to stimulate the exchange of knowledge is an important aim that CVD Prevention and Control, the official journal of the World Heart Federation, strives to fulfill. In recognition of the fact that writing papers for submission to such journals can be a challenging and time-consuming task the Editorial Board organised a “Writer’s Workshop”, which took place during the World Congress of Cardiology, and provided guidelines on best practice. World Heart Federation appoints Dr Sidney C. Smith Jr as President Elect and Susanne Volqvartz as Vice President Elect from January 2010
Sidney C. Smith Jr, M.D. Professor of Medicine and Director of the Center for Cardiovascular Science and Medicine at the University of North Carolina, and Susanne Volqvartz, CEO of the Danish Heart Foundation have been appointed President Elect and Vice President Elect respectively of the World Heart Federation, to take up their roles from January 2010. These appointments were announced on 21 May 2008, during the World Congress of Cardiology. Meet the incoming World Heart Federation President, Professor Pekka Puska and Vice President, Dr Lyn Roberts
Professor Pekka Puska, Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Finland, and Dr Lyn Roberts, CEO of the National Heart Foundation of Australia will become President and Vice President respectively of the World Heart Federation from January 2009. World Heart Day, 28 September 2008: "Know Your Risk!"By the year 2025 it is estimated that more than 1.5 billion people , or nearly one in three adults over the age of 25, will have high blood pressure (hypertension), one of the biggest single risk factors for heart disease and stroke, the world’s number one killer. There are no obvious symptoms of high blood pressure, and the only way to know is by getting checked by a health-care professional. That’s why this year’s World Heart Day will be urging people to “Know Your Risk!” Latin American youth activists accept World No Tobacco Day award from the World Health OrganizationFlorencia Maldonado (Uruguay), Luis Cuesta (Colombia), Javier Rivera (Argentina) and Sebastian Parada (Argentina) have accepted a World No Tobacco Day award on behalf of a network of youth working toward a smoke-free Latin America. World No Tobacco Day which took place on 31 May 2008, advocated for a total ban on all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship by the tobacco industry which focuses on youth. Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Training Course: passing on lessons in chronic disease preventionThe Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Centre (ICRC) held its 7th training course in non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention in April 2008. Designed for managers, researchers and health professionals involved in the prevention of NCD, the course was held with the auspices of the World Health Organization and the World Heart Federation. It brought over 20 professionals from Europe, Asia, the Americas and the Middle East together with ICRC staff, the Isfahan community, and other key Iranians who are helping change the factors that influence heart health. World Health Assembly adopts resolution to tackle the rising burden of non-communicable diseasesThe 61st session of the World Health Assembly which took place on the 19–24 May in Geneva, Switzerland, endorsed a six-year action plan to tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease. NCDs are now the leading threat to human health, causing 60% of all deaths globally in 2005 (estimated at 35 million deaths). As reported in the last issue of Heart Beat the World Heart Federation was one of the key organisations consulted by the World Health Organization when drafting the action plan. UPCOMING EVENTS30 August - 03 September - Munich, GermanyEuropean Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 22-24 September - Tel Aviv, Israel9th International Dead Sea Symposium (IDSS) on Cardiac Arrhythmias and Device Therapy 24-27 September - Vienna, Austria6th World Stroke Congress See all events > | |