The AHA congress that was compressed to three scientific sessions days were held in the windy city of Chicago. AHA is a great congress where everyone interested in cardiovascular research can find once home. McCormick place is one of the largest convention center in north US and a time schedule was a good way to keep on track of the 4000 abstracts and 800 sessions that was presented from more than 100 countries!

Many interesting presentations include mindfulness and yoga for patients with atrial fibrillation; nightmares and insomnia in CVD; C vitamin intake in heart failure; depression in ICD recipients and family care givers and frailty in AMI were held. CESAR member Prof Anna Strömberg presented the development of different health techniques for example new tools in monitoring symptoms in patients with heart failure.  Photo: Maria Liljeroos.

 

Christina Andreae, PhD talked about physical activity and appetite in heart failure. Patients who are more physical active have better appetite both at short and long-term follow-up and therefore health care professionals should recognize physical activity and appetite jointly as physical activity might improve appetite and poor nutrition. Photo: Anna Strömberg.

 

In a MAIN event, Janet E Fulton talked about physical activity as the most important component in maintaining CVD health. In the same session, prof Rusell Pate presented that individuals knowledge and skills are key to achieve physical activity goals, he also stressed that local laws and regulations, relations between organizations, social institutions, families, friends and social network are of importance to achieve global physical activity goals.    

 

 

 

 

 

Every steps counts! Walking 2000 more steps per day associate with 8% lower risk for having adverse patient outcomes! Presented by William E Kraus, Durham, NC.

 

 

Wendy Dusenbury presented that sexual dysfunction in stroke is common and affect both men and women. Health care providers should open up for questions about sexual dysfunction in stroke rehabilitation programs. Interventions targeting both patient and partner are needed.

 

 

 

 

CESAR member prof Tiny Jaarsma moderated an interesting session title “Challenging issues and emerging therapies in the management of sexual dysfunction after CV events”. Photo: Maria Liljeroos

 

 

Even though the first study of sodium restrictions was published 1941 there is still hot ongoing discussions on how sodium restrictions affect patients with heart failure.

This was a full packed session, very enjoyable panel discussion of pros and cons on sodium restrictions in heart failure.   

 

 

 

 

 

Nice art from Poland by Magdalena Abakanowicz 2003, Chicago 13 Nov 2018

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Greetings from a nice windy City Chicago!

Christina Andreae