Cardiovascular failure is the most common cause of hospitalization in Western societies and, despite advances in treatments, the prognosis of patients with heart failure remains poor. Progressive deterioration in vascular and myocardial function is a crucial feature of chronic heart failure and is the result of many different pathological processes affecting the vessels and muscle of the heart.
As a result of changes in lifestyle–leading to obesity, hypertension, and diabetes–cardiac and vascular problems now frequently arise at a relatively young age. As life expectancy has increased, this ageing population has become characterized by chronic cardiovascular disease, causing reduced quality of life and increased healthcare costs.
The international minors of the Faculty of Medicine start on September 1st.