Highlights from the 2019 International Aspirin Foundation Scientific Conference, Rome, 28 June 2019: benefits and risks of antithrombotic therapy for cardiovascular disease prevention.

At the 2019 International Aspirin Foundation Scientific Conference 'Benefits and Risks of Antithrombotic Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention', held in Rome, Italy, international experts sought to discuss and debate the optimal antithrombotic strategy for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and to seek agreement around dosing and target populations for aspirin use in primary disease prevention. Getting the best evidence to support real-life decisions in the clinic can be complex, and individualising management in order to balance both the risks and benefits of different disease prevention strategies appears to be the best approach. It is hoped that future decision-making tools and biomarkers will help direct treatments at those most likely to benefit.

Aspirin: 120 years of innovation. A report from the 2017 Scientific Conference of the International Aspirin Foundation, 14 September 2017, Charité, Berlin.

Acetylsalicylic acid was first synthesised by Dr FeIix Hoffman on 10th August 1897 and Aspirin was born. It quickly became the best-known pain killer in the world and in the 120 years since this event, aspirin has continued to attract interest, innovation and excitement. Set within the walls of the preserved ruins of Rudolf Virchow's lecture hall at Charité, within Berlin's Museum of Medical History, the International Aspirin Foundation's 28th Scientific Conference served to facilitate international, multi-disease, multidisciplinary discussion about the current understanding of aspirin's mechanisms of action and its utility in modern medicine as well as ideas for future research into its multifaceted applications to enhance global health. In addition to the delegates in Berlin, 300 medical doctors at the 19th Annual Scientific Congress of the Chinese Society of Cardiology were able to join the cardiology sessions from Taiyuan, Shangxi province via a live streaming link to and from China. This led to useful discussion and allowed a truly international perspective to the meeting.

Reducing cardiovascular disease risk: cholesterol and diet.

Addressing cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a priority for all involved in health promotion. Identifying those at risk and implementing strategies to reduce the incidence of CVD are important issues for government and healthcare providers. This article discusses risk assessment and medical intervention, and provides a detailed analysis of the role of diet in cholesterol reduction. The nurse's role in assisting patients to make dietary changes is examined and practical information on empowering patients to manage their health is provided.