BeatRHD! Experts from Across the World Meet in Mexico to Talk About Heart Diseases

From June 4-7 Novartis scientists participate in the World Congress of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Health (WCC) in Mexico. This Congress brings together thousands of heart health professionals from around the world. One of the key topics is rheumatic heart disease (RHD).

RHD —caused by untreated streptococcal throat infections—has been practically eliminated in wealthy nations, but it remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries, particularly in children and young adults. RHD is a truly preventable chronic disease. Properly treating strep throat with antibiotics can prevent rheumatic fever, the precursor to RHD.

In 2012, Novartis and partners launched a comprehensive public-private effort in Zambia led by Dr. John Musuku at Lusaka University Teaching Hospital, who is one of the country’s only pediatric cardiologists. The BeatRHD team is conducting research to determine RHD prevalence, screening children for early signs of heart damage, helping to improve diagnosis and treatment of strep throat in government clinics, and raising public awareness about the disease.

Reports on progress and achievements of BeatRHD will be presented at the Congress. (For more information: http://www.globalheart-journal.com/  and http://www.world-heart-federation.org/wcc-2016/scientific-programme/abstract-programme/ )

Find out more about BeatRHD here