Key takeaways: 

• The number of congress participants continues to rise, underlining the importance of the cardiovascular field. 
• Over 190 studies were published simultaneously in leading scientific journals. 
• New ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines and major trials presented at this congress will impact patient care, save lives and improve quality of life. 
• Next year’s ESC Congress in will take place in Munich, Germany. 

Sophia Antipolis, 3 September 2025 :  Over 33,300ⁱ healthcare professionals from 169 nations took part in the European Society of Cardiology’s flagship meeting ESC Congress in Madrid.  The world’s leading event in cardiovascular medicine was held in partnership with the World Heart Federation and focused on the theme of Global Health. 

The programme featured the release of five ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines and updates, alongside an unprecedented number of abstract and late-breaking science submissions from 115 countries. Top submitter countries included China, Japan, USA and Italy. Over 1,100 sessions showcased practice-changing research, including groundbreaking results highlighted in 10 Hot Line and 28 Late-breaking science sessions. 

In addition, over 190 studies were published simultaneously in leading scientific journals underlining the congress’s pivotal role in advancing cardiovascular science. 

"This year’s ESC Congress marks a turning point: cardiology has never been more dynamic, interdisciplinary, and patient-centered. The convergence of groundbreaking trial data, newly released clinical practice guidelines, and strong global representation makes ESC Congress 2025 a landmark event shaping the future of cardiovascular medicine. Never before have we seen such a high number of late-breaking trials from across all fields of cardiology presented and simultaneously published in top journals, informing clinical decision-making and improving patient care”, said Professor Felix Mahfoud, the Chair of the ESC Communications Committee. 

ESC Congress 2025 has been a pivotal moment not only for science, but raising awareness of the immense danger cardiovascular diseases poses. Two high level political round tables took place during ESC Congress to discuss measures for addressing the world’s biggest killer, including the importance of screening. More than 1,000 delegates took part in ESC’s CV Health Check in Madrid to underline the importance of knowing your cardiovascular risk factor numbers.  

ESC Congress 2025 received widespread international media attention, generating thousands of articles. Almost 250 journalists from all over the world followed the event onsite and 130 online. Trending topics included: 

1) New systematic review and meta-analysis shows an association between shingles vaccination and lower risk of heart attack and stroke 

2) Blood-pressure reductions with baxdrostat in patients with uncontrolled or resistant hypertension 

3 Increasing potassium levels improve outcomes in patients at high risk of ventricular arrhythmia 

The ESC was honoured to conclude the successful congress and celebrate its 75th anniversary by welcoming His Majesty King Felipe VI, who addressed the global cardiology community with the following words:  

“Over the past few days at this Congress in Madrid, you have once again provided us with a valuable example of dialogue. Because cardiovascular health – as we are reminded by the theme you chose for this year’s Congress – is a global challenge, and because knowledge, when it contributes to progress, should encounter no borders.” 

ESC Congress 2026 will be held in Munich, Germany from 28 August to 31August 2026 . See more about the congress and the upcoming subspeciality events on our website. 

ENDS