The World Congress of Cardiology Scientific Sessions is the official congress of the World Heart Federation and is held every two years.

Through the World Congress of Cardiology, the World Heart Federation offers an international stage for the latest developments in science and public outreach in the field of cardiovascular health.

The World Congress of Cardiology places emphasis on the complementary nature of science and public outreach and strives to spread the message that through individual, community and patient care interventions, the growing epidemic of cardiovascular disease in developing countries can be prevented.

The aims of the World Congress of Cardiology are to:

• Share scientific research results and public outreach techniques with low- and middle-income countries
• Reach the maximum number of healthcare providers by integrating national and regional congresses
• Focus on prevention, diagnosis and treatment
• Encourage interaction between physicians, patients, policy-makers and the public

The next World Congress of Cardiology Scientific Session will take place in 2012 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The last World Congresses of Cardiology were held in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 18-21 May 2008 and Beijing, China from 16-19 June 2010.

Tobacco free policy
Tobacco smoking is a major cause of preventable early death throughout the world. Cigarette smokers have almost double the risk of dying from coronary heart disease compared with non-smokers. Exposure of non-smokers to environmental tobacco smoke is increasingly suspected as being a cause of coronary heart disease.
The World Heart Federation is active globally in reducing the prevalence of smoking. Workplaces, community, health care, educational institutions, food industry, health professionals and Governments are important settings for implementing this policy.
All premises occupied by the World Heart Federation must be smoke-free. The WCC Congress Committees thank all participants and exhibitors for not smoking in the congress venue and its immediate surroundings at all times.