The leading global voice
We play a major role in bringing the CV community together to drive transformational change.
Together we are stronger
By 2025, our aim is to reduce premature deaths from CVD by at least 25%.
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Become a WHF member and help us to build global commitment to address cardiovascular health at the policy level.
We convene and connect our members
To share science, best practice and resources, acting as a global thought leader and catalyst for positive change.
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The biggest global awareness-raising campaign for CVD.
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Join world leaders in heart health, share ideas, network with specialists.
Advocating for heart health
We lead the global advocacy effort for action to prevent, control and reduce the global burden of CVD.
Creating awareness
All our programmes and partnerships are aimed at creating awareness of CVD as a priority issue across the globe.
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The first non-governmental organization dedicated to CVD and still leading the way
Home > About Us > Our History
The World Heart Federation was originally formed in 1978 by a merger of the International Society of Cardiology (ISC) and the International Cardiology Federation (ICF), under the name of the International Society and Federation of Cardiology (ISFC). In 1998 the ISFC changed its name to the World Heart Federation and since then we have grown to become a cornerstone of the cardiovascular health field, currently working with more than 200 members and partners around the world.
In 1996, an agreement between UNESCO, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Heart Federation instigated ongoing cooperation on different projects, such as the prevention of rheumatic fever and heart disease, Chagas’ disease and risk factors in school-age children in developing countries
The World Heart Federation is now recognized by the World Health Organization as its leading NGO partner in cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and we are a close partner of the World Health Organization’s department of Noncommunicable Diseases.
1944 The basis and structure of the International Society of Cardiology (ISC) is designed in Mexico by Ignacio Chavez.
1946 During the 2nd InterAmerican Society of Cardiology meeting, Ignacio Chavez presents a motion to create the ISC, a professional scientific organization with a membership of national societies of cardiology, and forerunner of the World Heart Federation.
1950 The First World Congress of Cardiology (WCC) is held in Paris and then every four years until 2006, when it becomes biennial.
1957 The International Cardiology Foundation (ICF) is founded in Chicago Illinois.
1966 Now grown to three continental members and 51 national societies, the ISC creates eight new scientific councils to replace the old committee structure.
1969 In September, representatives from 15 national heart foundations, associations, societies and leagues of cardiology meet in Geneva to discuss an organizational framework of an International Cardiology Federation (ICF) to succeed the existing International Cardiology Foundation (also ICF).
1970 The International Cardiology Federation (ICF) is created at the ISC General Assembly, with the purpose of supporting international research, professional and public education, as well as community programmes. es.
1978 ISC and ICF merge to become the International Society and Federation of Cardiology (ISFC), the direct predecessor to the World Heart Federation.
1996 UNESCO and WHO officially recognize ISFC with special status.
1998 ISFC board approve the change of name to World Heart Federation (WHF).
2000 WHF launches World Heart Day as an annual event on the last Sunday of each September.
2011 The United Nations (UN) historic declaration changes the global approach to NCDs, of which CVD is the greatest contributor. WHF is instrumental in achieving this UN declaration.
2013 WHF Board adopts the UN and WHO targets for CVD, launching the 25by25 campaign to reduce premature mortality from CVD by 25% by 2025.
1978-80 John F. Goodwin (founder of ISCP, a merger of ISC & ICF) 1981-82 Henry N. Neufeld 1983-84 Thomas N. James 1985-86 Paul Puech 1987-88 Chuichi Kawai 1989-90 Mario R. Garcia-Palmieri 1991-92 Wilhelm Rutishauser 1993-94 David T. Kelly 1995-96 Elliot Rapaport 1997-99 Antonio Bayes de Luna 1999-00 Tak-Fu Tse 2001-02 Mario F.C. Maranhao 2003-04 Philip Poole-Wilson 2005-06 Valentin Fuster 2007-08 Shahryar A Sheikh 2009-10 Pekka Puska 2011-12 Sidney C. Smith Jr 2013-14 Srinath Reddy 2015-16 Salim Yusuf 2017-18 David Wood
