Heart Week, which was established 25 years ago, took place from 2-4 September 2009 in Barcelona and welcomed around 7,000 people at Port Olympic by Marina Village which stands near the sea in one of the most beautiful open-air locals in the city.
The goals and objectives of the Spanish Heart Week are to “inform society of the importance of heart disease prevention” and “to promote the control of cardiovascular risk factors and the maintenance of healthy habits”. When approached by the SEC and FEC, the ESC was delighted to give their support and join forces since their mission, “To reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in Europe”, is so closely intertwined.
Taking the healthy heart message directly to the public is one of the most important things that can be done considering cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the world, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO). However, serious health business does not necessarily have to be seriously painful to endure.
The event was organized to provide information in a more dynamic and didactic format to be both fun and memorable for the participants, while at the same time being more detailed and scientific than ever before.
Within the three different zones (risks zone, healthy practices zone, getting into shape zone), there were talks, workshops, demos, and activities all focused on the key messages of prevention:
- Healthy food habits and strategies, also including informative spaces with different brands on offer and tastings of heart healthy foods
- Educational workshops given by specialized professionals highlighting guidelines for preventing heart disease through exercise and diet
- Organized exercise classes suited to all different audience profiles and ages
On a more scientific level, risk assessment stations were set up throughout the area staffed by healthcare professionals where more than 900 visitors had the opportunity to have their personal cardiovascular risk profile assessed and analysed.
- Medical tests including measurement of weight, height, abdominal perimeter, blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol assessed by a specialized medical team of professionals and nutritionists with a free and personalized results report
- HeartScore risk assessment
- CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) techniques and medical emergency services demos
Notable among the ESC’s participation were the launch of “Heart Failure Matters” in Spanish (heartfailurematters.org) and HeartScore interactive risk assessments.
Heart Failure Matters is a ground-breaking new educational website for patients aiming to help them live longer and feel better. This web initiative is set up by the Heart Failure Association (HFA).
HeartScore is the electronic form of the European risk prediction system. The HeartScore program allows interactive risk prediction and management of heart attack and stroke in Europe by supporting doctors in optimizing individual heart disease risk reduction.
The event wrapped up with a “heart healthy walk” on a route that went down the promenade and through the Barceloneta combining both culture and exercise.
To date, Heart Week has been a great success, playing its part in bringing the prevention messages to Spain, Europe, and the world.