We’ve just returned from the Asia Pacific Heart Summit in Bangkok, where it was both humbling and inspiring to engage with so many passionate cardiovascular disease (CVD) advocates from across the region.
The inaugural Summit, organised by the Asia Pacific Cardiovascular Disease Alliance, brought together key stakeholders with the following goals:
- Uniting CVD stakeholders in the region ahead of the 2025 UN High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
- Underscoring the need for innovative approaches to redefining cardiovascular care
- Highlighting policy and systems enablers as fundamental to ensuring good CVD outcomes
As a member of the Alliance, the Australian Cardiovascular Alliance (ACvA) was thrilled to stand among others committed to advancing cardiovascular health and tackling the global burden of heart disease. We were particularly impressed by the emphasis on a coordinated, collaborative approach to achieving meaningful progress toward a heart-healthy future.
Despite the diversity of the region, many of the challenges discussed were strikingly similar. Issues like access to care, resource limitations, workforce shortages, and continuity of care remain significant barriers.
With 18 million people dying of cardiovascular disease globally each year—and 11 million of these deaths occurring in the Asia-Pacific region—the urgency for action was palpable.
The Summit featured captivating discussions on a variety of critical topics, including:
- Key risk factors driving the rise in CVD.
- Models for sustainable and effective financing of CVD programs.
- Prioritizing heart failure within national health systems.
- Insights into national CVD policies and case studies from across the region.
Events like this Summit provide invaluable opportunities for knowledge sharing and mutual learning, bridging disciplines and best practices across the full spectrum of cardiovascular care—from prevention to rehabilitation.
We left Bangkok inspired, energised and ready to work towards real, measurable improvements in cardiovascular health.