About WHF

A knowledgeable and caring world heart, beating equally for everyone.

Our Vision

CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH FOR EVERYONE

We believe every human being should have access to the information, care and treatment they need to keep their heart healthy, regardless of race, nationality, gender, age, education or income.

Our Core Values

CARE
EQUITY
COMMUNITY
INTEGRITY
ASPIRATION

World Heart Vision 2030

Paving the way for cardiovascular health equity

Leveraging innovation and technologies for cardiovascular health

fostering timely implementation of knowledge

placing cardiovascular health at the heart of health and climate policies

United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.4

Reduce premature mortality from CVD and other NCDs by 33% by 2030

About WHF

A leader and convener in global cardiovascular health, the World Heart Federation champions heart health and acts to reduce the global burden of heart disease and stroke, which together claim 18.6 million lives every year. Our membership of more than 200 heart foundations, scientific societies and patient organizations in more than 100 countries is an active hub, promoting heart health and driving change at the local, regional and global level.

As the principal representative body of the global cardiovascular community, WHF brings together a diverse network of multi-sectoral actors to share knowledge, guide policy, and give people the tools they need to live longer, healthier lives.

Download the WHF Strategy 2021-23

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The World Heart Federation is the only CVD organization in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO)

With common goals for global health equity, WHO and WHF are natural allies. Our close partnership enables us to share and align our knowledge and goals around cardiovascular disease, primarily in key areas like tobacco and air pollution, as well as neglected conditions such as rheumatic heart disease and Chagas disease.

WHF has “official relations” status as accorded by the Executive Board of WHO to those non-state actors that meet their rigorous criteria for formal engagement. Actors in official relations with WHO are granted additional privileges and access such as the ability to make statements during World Health Assembly debates and participate in high-level meetings.

Our Mission

To connect, lead and inspire the cardiovascular community

To connect, lead and inspire the cardiovascular community by bringing together scientific cardiology societies, heart foundations, health professionals, patients and the general public, policymakers, governments and the private sector to achieve heart health for everyone.

Our Global Community World Heart Day

To translate science into policy

To translate science into policy to influence agencies, governments and policy makers.

Global Advocacy World Heart Summit CVD Roadmaps

To stimulate and catalyse the exchange of knowledge across borders

To stimulate and promote the exchange of information, ideas, practices across all borders, to achieve heart health for everyone, everywhere.

World Congress of Cardiology Emerging Leaders Programme

Our History

1978

The World Heart Federation is formed by a merger of the International Society of Cardiology (ISC) and the International Cardiology Federation (ICF), under the name of the International Society and Federation of Cardiology (ISFC).

1996

An agreement between UNESCO, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Heart Federation instigates ongoing cooperation on different projects, such as the prevention of rheumatic fever and heart disease, Chagas disease and risk factors in school-age children in developing countries

1998

ISFC changes its name to the World Heart Federation, which has since then grown to become a cornerstone of the cardiovascular health field, currently working with more than 200 members and partners around the world.