Experts will be discussing cutting-edge science on heart health at ESC Preventive Cardiology 2022, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
The annual congress of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC), a branch of the ESC, takes place 7 to 9 April online. The scientific programme will include insights into novel research, including data on insomnia and heart disease, weight loss strategies for women, prevention of chemotherapy-induced heart damage in patients with cancer, and much more.
The conference will feature live sessions with practice-changing science, covering all fields of preventive cardiology, as well as offering opportunities to quiz the experts. Topics will include managing obesity throughout life, how pregnant women can protect their child’s heart health, the best approach to weight loss in obese children, and the challenges of food advertising and social media.
Dr. Nicolle Kraenkel, congress chairperson said: “Maternal behaviours during pregnancy may have an impact on the eating behaviour and health of the child later on. In addition, becoming obese early in life kick-starts the premature development of type 2 diabetes, liver disease and cardiovascular disease.”
Professor Ana Abreu, congress chairperson said: “This session will also show healthcare providers how to demystify claims that a food product is ‘healthy’ to help the public make good choices.”
Is there “good” and “bad” food for the heart or even “the ideal diet” for each one of us? Delegates can find out in a lively debate session.
“Different individual ‘superfoods’ have been promoted over the years but focusing on ‘one good food’ (or food component) risks ignoring our need for the whole range of nutrients,” said Dr.Kraenkel. “This session will also challenge the hypothesis that personalised dietary recommendations can be derived based on a person’s genetic code only.”
A key mesage of the event is that it is never too late to adopt positive lifestyle habits. Supporting this view will be a session on nutrition and physical activity for healthy ageing.
“Exercise and nutrition guidance should be tailored according to age, but the over 80s have often been excluded from clinical trials,” noted Professor Abreu. “Supporting the oldest old to remain independent and have a good quality of life will benefit individuals, their families and society as a whole, and at the same time will contribute to decreasing health inequalities.”
Experts will also consioder the question: can COVID-19 survivors with heart complications return to sports? The conference will highlight up-to-the-minute scientific evidence on safely resuming sporting activities. It will also look at how to manage patients with long COVID who may suffer from fatigue, declining physical fitness, and cardiac and respiratory problems.
Also on the agenda will be how the mind affects the heart and vice versa. Professor Abreu points out: “Psychological and cardiovascular health are related in many ways and there is increasing evidence that they share similar biological processes. With the pandemic we have seen an increase in social isolation and depression so it is timely to address mental health and heart disease.”
This year’s spotlight theme "Implementing innovation in preventive cardiology" will be covered in multiple sessions exploring emerging technologies, policymaking and advocacy, and a sneak preview of findings from the InterAspire study on the practical application of guidelines in real life. The large European multicentre CoroPrevention study will also be presented, focusing on personalised digital prevention and innovative techniques to improve long-term adherence in coronary patients.
Click here to find out more.
