Should I cut down on carbs? Find out at EuroHeartCare 2019. It’s just one of many topics covered during the inaugural annual scientific congress of the Association of Cardiovascular Nursing & Allied Professions (ACNAP), a branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
This international scientific meeting will be held 2 to 4 May at the Milano Convention Centre (MiCo) in Italy.
Explore the scientific programme and discover new research on how lifestyle behaviours and mental health affect heart health.
The event features 300 novel studies, among them:
- The effect of cancer drugs on the heart.
- More dangers of secondhand smoke.
- How heart failure patients can keep their mind sharp.
- Impact of living alone after cardiac surgery.
- Depression and appetite levels in patients with heart failure.
- Do people really know what constitutes healthy behaviour? Who scores best and worst?
- How anxiety after heart attack affects eating habits.
- Effects of iron deficiency and underactive thyroid on outcomes after heart attack.
- A novel exercise programme for heart failure inpatients.
- How a positive outlook after heart attack affects behaviour change.
EuroHeartCare is the event to attend for cardiovascular nurses and allied professionals. This year’s event will attract more than 600 from over 40 countries. Some 80 opinion leaders from across the globe will discuss state-of-the art research and practice across three days and 20 sessions.
Of particular interest: Dietary controversies: the truth about diet – low carbs, fasting, and high fat diets.1 Results from the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study on carbohydrates and saturated fat are hotly debated and fuelled a feeding frenzy on social media. Separate fact from fiction with experts from dietetics, nutritional sciences and cardiology with audience interaction and mobile app voting.
Also on the agenda: Low carbohydrate “ketogenic” diets and fasting are in vogue but are they good for health? Programme chair Dr Jennifer Jones said: “Cardiovascular disease is largely avoidable and diet is a cornerstone of prevention. It is also pivotal to management of patients with cardiovascular disease. The ESC has clear guidance on dietary recommendations for both scenarios.2 This session will debate these topical issues on diet and determine what is sound advice.”
A look at new technologies: Mobile health apps are a rapidly growing field together with novel approaches to health such as gaming. “There’s a rising tide of cardiovascular risk drivers – for example obesity and type 2 diabetes – and digital health can promote wellness and self management,” said Dr Jones. “Even simple things like text reminders – to take medicines for instance – influence behaviour, as does goal setting and rewards.”
Digital health brings opportunities in population screening, such as identifying people with conditions like atrial fibrillation who can then be treated to prevent stroke. And it provides data to health professionals, for instance how much activity people really do. “This type of monitoring can be very informative for clinicians and help them develop tailored approaches,” said Dr Jones. “The aim with digital health is to enhance, rather than necessarily replace, face-to-face contact with health professionals.”3
What does mental health have to do with it? On featured presentations about tai chi and yoga to improve cardiovascular health4,5 Dr Jones said: “Mental health, like diet, is pivotal to cardiovascular health. We will hear the latest data on how these alternative approaches come with physical and mental health gains.”
ENDS
Our mission: To reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease.