Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular failure is the most frequent cause of hospitalization in Western societies. We work toward preventing and curing cardiovascular diseases. Read about our activities and insights on cardiovascular diseases.

September 7, 2023
Elite athletes safely return to sports after COVID-19 Heart problems after a COVID infection are a serious concern for both elite athletes and recreational athletes alike. A study from Amsterdam UMC, published today in Heart, offers some reassuring news. "We examined over 250 elite athletes and found that those who had contracted COVID-19 did not experience severe heart issues that impacted their careers," says Juliette van Hattum, a PhD candidate in sports cardiology at Amsterdam UMC.
- Movement & Sports
- Cardiovascular Diseases
August 25, 2023
Signing off with the Gold: ESC honour for Arthur Wilde After an impressive career, cardiologist and professor Arthur Wilde is retiring. He was at the cradle of cardiogenetics and left his mark on cardiac care in Amsterdam UMC as head of the Cardiology department (location AMC). Today he receives the Gold Medal, the European Cardiology Society's highest award. A crowning achievement, but the pioneer does not want to talk about quitting: "We are not there yet."
- Cardiovascular Diseases
August 10, 2023
Athletes have no reason to be concerned by their COVID-19 vaccine this winter but timing matters It is now almost a rule of thumb: As soon as an athlete falls to the ground with a sudden cardiac arrest, social media is awash with claims that COVID-19 vaccinations are to blame. This was the case with English footballer Charlie Wyke, cyclist Sonny Colbrelli and, most recently, with college basketballer, and son of LeBron, Bronny James. In the view of Harald Jorstad, Sports Cardiologist at Amsterdam UMC, there is no evidence to support these claims, but timing of the vaccination can be structured to not negatively influence performance. This article is, today, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
August 9, 2023
Using radiotherapy to treat cardiac arrhythmia Targeted irradiation of scar tissue in the heart can help patients with life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias by removing their symptoms for a longer period in comparison with the current treatment. Amsterdam UMC's Heart Center is one of Europe's only centres where this innovative treatment is practised.
- Cardiovascular Diseases
June 23, 2023
Customised treatment for heart failure patients through the use of AI Heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalisation in those over 65 and research predicts that the condition will increase in global prevalence by almost 50% by 2030. In order to reduce the burden of disease on both health systems and patients, Amsterdam UMC is launching, thanks to a Horizon Europe grant of almost 6 million euros, a consortium to look for an AI-powered solution.
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Artificial Intelligence
May 23, 2023
Cardiovascular diseases affect everyone, but not equally For the last ten years, Amsterdam UMC's has studied more than 25,000 residents of Amsterdam in order to discover the genetic differences in various illnesses. High blood pressure is one of the health problems that leads to cardiovascular illnesses.
- Public Health
- Cardiovascular Diseases
May 22, 2023
Leadless pacemakers soon available for all patients Every year more than one million people receive a pacemaker. Until now, leadless versions were only available for 20% of these patients. However, thanks to an international consortium led by Amsterdam UMC, an improved version will soon be available for all patients. The results of this clinical trial are, today, published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
- Cardiovascular Diseases
May 4, 2023
Amsterdam UMC leads an AI-powered hunt for high-risk vascular patients Every year 18 million people die from cardiovascular disease. Making it the deadliest disease in the world. Currently studies focus mainly on the heart, leaving the influence of vascular disease on these large numbers of deaths often out of sight. Despite vascular disorders being a reliable indicator for death from heart disease.
- Cardiovascular Diseases
March 24, 2023
MRI turns on the light: innovative treatment promises a more efficient future for heart interventions Amsterdam UMC contributes internationally to innovative medical progress in several research and intervention areas. One of the most promising techniques is the use of MRI in heart interventions.
- Cardiovascular Diseases