World Heart Summit 2025

Coffee & Mingle

Risk Factors: Of Inflammation, Added Inflamation and Out-of-Proportion Inflammation in CAD

In this highly engaging session at World Heart Summit 2025, moderated by Payal Kohli (Johns Hopkins University / Duke University), global experts explored the evolving role of inflammation in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and treatment. Y.S. Chandrashekhar (University of Minnesota) delivered a comprehensive pacesetter lecture on the biology of inflammatory plaque rupture, macrophage activity, and the emerging understanding of residual cardiovascular risk. Sidney Smith (UNC, WHF/AHA Past President) emphasized the importance of translating evolving evidence into clinical guidelines. Ana Munera Echeverri (SIAC) presented regional data from the Americas, linking high rates of obesity, diabetes, and pollution to systemic inflammation. Amitava Banerjee (UCL & Barts Health) highlighted the role of vaccines in inflammation reduction and the importance of integrated electronic health data systems. Antonio Ribeiro (Federal University of Minas Gerais) showcased AI-powered tools—including ECG-derived biological age—to quantify inflammation-linked risk. The panel called for biomarkers, imaging, and AI solutions to advance inflammation-focused prevention and treatment strategies globally.

Risk promoters and potentiators: Indoor air pollution

This important session addresses the often-overlooked health risks of indoor air pollution and its profound impact on cardiovascular disease, particularly in vulnerable populations such as women and children in low- and middle-income countries. Moderated by Dr. Nupoor Narula, experts from WHO, St. Jude, UT Health, Trivedi School of Biosciences, and National Geographic explore the link between indoor air pollution, noncommunicable diseases, and health equity. The panel highlights real-world examples, including India’s Ujjwala Yojana program and grassroots community-led clean cooking initiatives. Key discussions focus on scalable public health solutions, clean energy transitions, policy advocacy, private sector engagement, and integrating air quality into cardiovascular prevention strategies. This session provides actionable insights for policymakers, healthcare leaders, and global health advocates working to address environmental determinants of cardiovascular and population health worldwide.

Unveiling Hidden Drivers of Cardiovascular Disease: Sugar in childhood & Beyond

This session explores the hidden role of sugar consumption in driving cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disorders from childhood through adulthood. Moderated by Dr. Nupoor Narula, global experts from the University of Oxford, University of Southern California, The George Institute, and the World Obesity Federation examine cutting-edge research linking early-life sugar exposure to long-term health risks. The panel highlights new findings from quasi-experimental studies, including UK post-war sugar rationing data, showing reduced risks of diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular events when sugar intake is limited early in life. Discussions address the role of obesity prevention, health policy, taxation strategies such as soda taxes, reformulation, clear food labeling, and industry accountability. Speakers emphasize the importance of early interventions, parental education, and public health advocacy to reduce sugar consumption and its global health and economic burdens. This comprehensive session offers actionable insights for policymakers, healthcare providers, and public health leaders worldwide.

CVD in the Aftermath of War & Conflicts

This impactful session examines the devastating consequences of war, conflict, and humanitarian crises on cardiovascular health and noncommunicable diseases. Moderated by Finn Jarle Rode, global experts from the World Innovation Summit for Health, Lee Health Heart Institute, Emergency, St. John’s Medical College, and UNC School of Medicine discuss the unique challenges of delivering cardiovascular care in conflict zones. The panel explores disrupted healthcare systems, medication shortages, interrupted care for chronic conditions, and the long-term impact of trauma and forced displacement. Strategies for strengthening healthcare resilience include emergency preparedness, pre-positioning essential medicines, task-shifting to community health workers, mobile care delivery, telemedicine, and coordinated global advocacy. The session emphasizes the critical need for better data, international collaboration, protection of healthcare infrastructure, and stronger integration of NCD care into emergency response frameworks. A vital resource for health leaders, policymakers, and humanitarian organizations.

Coffee break

Navigating the opportunities and challenges of AI in cardiovascular health

This forward-looking session explores how artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven innovation are transforming cardiovascular care, prevention, and population health. Moderated by Ann Aerts (Novartis Foundation), global experts from UVA Health, NYU, St George’s University of London, EPFL Lausanne, and the Qatar Foundation highlight the critical role of AI in diagnostics, imaging, clinical decision-making, and precision population health. The panel discusses how integrating social determinants of health, wearables, genetics, and environmental data can identify at-risk groups and enable more targeted prevention strategies. Real-world initiatives like AI for Healthy Cities and Cardio for Cities demonstrate how public-private partnerships can drive actionable insights and equitable healthcare interventions. The session emphasizes AI’s potential to predict cardiovascular risk, optimize resource allocation, strengthen healthcare systems, and ultimately reduce the global burden of heart disease and obesity across diverse populations.

Lunch Break

Fireside chat – Viatris: Increasing awareness of the symptoms of Myocardial Infarction

This powerful fireside chat explores how early recognition of myocardial infarction symptoms can save lives, especially among underserved populations. Moderated by WHF President Jagat Narula, the panel features Hyvelle Ferguson-Davis (Heart Sistas) sharing her lived experience and advocacy work, alongside Joris Van Vugt (Viatris) offering insights from the healthcare industry. The discussion highlights systemic barriers such as delayed diagnosis, misinterpretation of symptoms in women and minorities, and healthcare inequities that burden patients and families. Speakers emphasize the need for community-based advocacy, trust-building, culturally tailored public health campaigns, and healthcare professional education to improve symptom recognition and timely response. Industry innovations, including ongoing clinical trials exploring self-administered antiplatelet therapies, are discussed as potential tools to reduce risk in high-burden settings. This session offers valuable insights for health leaders, policymakers, and patient advocates aiming to improve cardiovascular outcomes and equity.

Building Healthy Hearts: Promotion of Cardiovascular Healthy from Childhood

This expert panel explores the critical importance of promoting cardiovascular health starting in childhood to reduce the global burden of heart disease. Moderated by Gregory Lim (Nature Reviews Cardiology), leaders from the Mayo Clinic, Amrita Institute, American Heart Association, Ministry of Health Qatar, University of Lagos, Africa NCDs Network, and Ashoka University examine the life-course approach to cardiovascular prevention. The session highlights the role of maternal nutrition, childhood obesity, early education, urbanization, and socioeconomic factors driving early onset cardiovascular risk, particularly in LMICs. Speakers discuss evidence-based interventions including school-based health programs, sugary beverage taxation, tobacco control, digital health tools, youth-led advocacy, and policy reforms. Cultural, environmental, and structural barriers are addressed alongside strategies to make healthy choices easier and sustainable. This session offers a comprehensive roadmap for policymakers, healthcare leaders, and global health advocates to build healthier generations worldwide.

Cardio 4 Cities: Measuring and Transforming Urban Cardiovascular Health

This session presents Cardio for Cities, a global, scalable model to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) through city-based, data-driven interventions. Moderated by Ann Aerts (Novartis Foundation), panelists from the World Heart Federation, Swiss Re, Australia’s Ministry of Health, KU Leuven, and Umane explore how cities can serve as hubs for innovative public health action. The discussion highlights integrated care models, hypertension screening, cholesterol management, digital health tools, and multi-sector coalitions combining policymakers, insurers, civil society, and health systems. Speakers share real-world experiences from Brazil, Belgium, Australia, and beyond, demonstrating how locally tailored CVD prevention programs are already reducing stroke and heart attack rates while strengthening primary care access. With a focus on data integration, population health management, behavioral interventions, and sustainable governance, Cardio for Cities offers a proven roadmap for urban populations worldwide to tackle rising cardiovascular risk.

Joint Session with NCD Alliance / NCD Action in a Changing World: Priorities for the fourth UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health

This closing session focuses on global preparations for the 2025 United Nations High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs). Moderated by Richard Horton (The Lancet), leaders from the World Heart Federation, NCD Alliance, WHO, GAVI, Resolve to Save Lives, Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation, and global health policy institutions discuss the urgent need for bold political commitments, financing, and accountability to meet global NCD targets. The session highlights the central role of hypertension control, taxation of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks, and stronger regulation of commercial determinants of health. Panelists stress the integration of NCD care within primary healthcare, community-led advocacy, and the engagement of lived-experience voices in policymaking. As global health financing faces severe challenges, speakers call for innovative partnerships, domestic resource mobilization, and stronger multilateral action to reduce premature deaths from NCDs and meet Sustainable Development Goal 3.4.