Valentí Fuster and international experts present technology at cutting-edge of cardiovascular health in Barcelona

02/11/2011

 

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death around the world –including Spain— and lead to nearly 20 million deaths per year, according to the WHO. By 2030, an estimated 24 million people will die from heart disease and cerebrovascular episodes.

"We have the responsibility as researchers to improve early detection techniques and reduce the social impact of this disease," explained Dr. Valentí Fuster, who will be participating in the international conference entitled Evolving Challenges in Promoting Cardiovascular Health, organized by the New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS), “la Caixa” Welfare Projects and the International Center for Scientific Debate (ICSD) in Barcelona today through Saturday.

Director of the ICSD Miquel Martí believes that, although it is true that in many cases people only become aware of diseases when they hit close to home, “I think the situation is changing thanks to the awareness-raising efforts of people like Dr. Fuster and organizations like the 'la Caixa' Foundation, the NYAS and the ICSD."

"Some 500 people will listen to Dr. Fuster, today at CosmoCaixa Barcelona, give a live multi-interview with four journalists specializing in health"

Before the scientific conference, today at 7 pm in the CosmoCaixa Auditorium, some 500 people will participate in a live debate-interview with Dr. Fuster, featuring four journalists specializing in health —Anna Batlle (TV3), Josep Corbella (La Vanguardia), Joaquim Elcacho (Avui, El Punt) and Sílvia Comet (Catalunya Ràdio). The event, entitled Health: health and life, is organized by the NYAS, "la Caixa" Welfare Projects and the ICSD and open to the general public so that everyone has the opportunity to get a first-hand look at the noteworthy research being carried out and the best advice on preventing heart disease and lifestyles that promote cardiovascular health.

More information on the debate/interview is available on the “la Caixa” Welfare Projects microsite http://www.cosmocaixa.com/vfuster/
 
Top-notch multidisciplinary scientific sessions

The scientific sessions, on 4 and 5 November, will feature an outstanding group of 23 speakers including international leaders in the field of cardiovascular disease. These sessions will cover the most innovative fields, like cardiac regeneration, in a session moderated by Dr. Roger J. Hajjar of Mount Sinai, and image diagnostics, in another session moderated by Dr. Jagat Narula, from the same institution. In addition to the plenary sessions, the event will also include roundtables and presentations on the latest news regarding the most translational aspects of cardiovascular research.

The inaugural event, tomorrow at 8:30 am, will feature Enric Banda, director of Science, Research and Environment at "la Caixa" Welfare Projects; Miquel Marti, director of the ICSD; Brooke Grindlinger, director of Scientific Programs at the NYAS; and Valentí Fuester, director of the Mount Sinai Cardiology Institute of New York and director of the Carlos III National Center for Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CNIC) in Madrid.

The main aim of this event is to promote multidisciplinary dialogue among researchers and doctors from academia and industry, as well as other participants devoted to prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. "The event in Barcelona is a great challenge because we will deal with innovative aspects in the field of cardiology, like the way to move from treating disease to promoting heath, or how to treat cardiovascular diseases and related cerebral disorders jointly through microcirculation ", explained Dr. Fuster. "It is a very interesting congress that will bring together researchers from different fields of medicine and basic research to share the latest breakthroughs in exciting areas like promoting health, cardiovascular imaging, gene therapy and development biology.”

The scientific information shared by participants in the conference will be used to create high-quality publications (available in multimedia format and on paper).

Date: 3 to 5 November 2011
Place: CosmoCaixa Barcelona • C/ Isaac Newton, 26 • Barcelona (Spain)

Questions: International Center for Scientific Debate (ICSD) • Laia Arnal • larnal@biocat.cat • Tel. +34 93 310 33 30

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