Geneva, 04.02.2025 – The World Heart Federation (WHF) is proud to announce the appointment of its new President, Prof Jagat Narula, and Vice President, Prof Amam Mbakwem. Building on a strong foundation of leadership, they are set to drive WHF’s mission forward with a renewed focus on reducing global cardiovascular disease mortality and enhancing health equity across the globe. Collaborating with distinguished experts on the Board and within WHF Committees, their leadership will focus on fortifying WHF’s status as the trusted authority on global cardiovascular health, intensifying efforts to catalyze global action for cardiovascular health equity, and empowering members to advocate effectively for cardiovascular health at national and regional levels.
Jagat Narula, MD, PhD, MACC, is a world-renowned physician, scientist, and leader in academic medicine. With over three decades of experience and more than 1,000 original research publications and presentations, Dr. Narula has significantly advanced the global community’s understanding of CVD. This includes identifying cases of heart muscle cell death (apoptosis) in heart failure and the risk of atherosclerotic plaque rupture leading to heart attacks.
Currently serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at UTHealth Houston, Narula has been honoured with titles such as Master of the American College of Cardiology and the Distinguished Scientist Award. A passionate advocate for global health, he has led impactful initiatives, including the Heart Attack Prevention Program for You (HAPPY).
Amam Mbakwem, Professor of Medicine at the University of Lagos and Consultant Cardiologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, brings extensive expertise in heart failure, hypertension, and cardiovascular health in women. With over 50 published studies, she previously served as President of the Nigerian Cardiac Society and Treasurer of the Pan-African Society of Cardiology (PASCAR). Dr. Mbakwem is also a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the European Society of Cardiology.
Together, Narula and Mbakwem will lead WHF in its mission to bring cardiovascular health to the forefront of the global health agenda. Under their leadership, WHF will focus particularly on using its platform and network of over 240 members to address global disparities in care, with a strong emphasis on preventative strategies to advance cardiovascular health globally.
“It is an honour to serve as President of the World Heart Federation at such a critical time for global cardiovascular health,” said Narula. “CVD remain the world’s leading cause of death, and our mission is not only to advance the science behind cardiovascular health, but to ensure preventative solutions are accessible and implementable worldwide. I invite our members, partners, and the global health community to join us in this crucial mission. Your support, ideas, and passion are vital as we move forward.”
Amam Mbakwem said “I am proud to serve as Vice-President of the World Heart Federation. WHF’s commitment to equity and collaboration is fundamental to its work, especially in tackling the CVD disparities that affect low- and middle-income countries. I look forward to working with Prof Narula, the WHF team and our partners to drive impactful change and ensure that equitable access to cardiovascular health is a global priority.”
Notes to Editors:
About the World Heart Federation
The World Heart Federation (WHF) is an umbrella organization of close to 250 Members in more than 100 countries, representing the global cardiovascular community and uniting patient, medical, scientific, and civil society groups. WHF’s three-fold mission is to connect and lead the CVD community, translate science into policy, and stimulate knowledge exchange. For more information, visit https://www.worldheart.org.
Contacts:
Borjana Pervan, Director of Strategy and Communications, WHF: [email protected], +41 22 512 0684
Suezelle D’Costa, Associate Director, Hawthorn Advisors: [email protected], +44 7395 357 869
