Chairman's Exclusive Interview | Professor Wang Jiguang: Relying on the Great Wall Cardiology Conference to Co-create a New Blueprint for Cardiovascular Health

The Great Wall Cardiology Conference is the largest cardiovascular academic event in China and even in Asia, on par with the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress and the annual meetings of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA). As such an important academic event, it must focus on promoting innovation and creativity in the cardiovascular field. Innovation and creativity play a crucial role in the management and control of cardiovascular diseases. However, our ultimate goal is to provide comprehensive care and compassion for patients, aiming not only to extend their lives but also to enhance their quality of life. Therefore, in this year's Great Wall Cardiology Conference, we will highlight innovation as a prominent theme to foster academic exchange. At the same time, we must clarify that our fundamental purpose is to serve every patient with cardiovascular disease well. Thus, in this conference, we will hold high two banners: first, vigorously promote innovation and creativity in the cardiovascular field; and second, always pay attention to and care for every cardiovascular disease patient

The Great Wall Conference has always been dedicated to actively promoting innovation within the field. This year's conference tightly revolves around this core theme, showcasing its most distinct characteristics. We are fully committed to advancing innovation in the cardiovascular field. In today's era, artificial intelligence (AI) undoubtedly stands out as a prominent feature. Therefore, we have specially designed a series of AI-related topics for this conference. This is reflected not only in the academic discussions but also prominently displayed in the exhibition section. By collaborating with global technology leaders, we aim to promote the application of AI in the management and control of cardiovascular diseases.

AI closely connects patients and doctors, forming a complete management system. This means that doctors and patients can interact not only in clinics and hospitals but also on AI platforms, enabling comprehensive disease management. Whether during the risk factor phase, after disease onset, or following severe complications such as myocardial infarction or stroke, doctors can provide timely and effective management and intervention for patients.

The topic of artificial intelligence will not only be an important issue at this conference but may also become a significant or even core theme in future conferences. Of course, this conference will feature many other important academic exchanges. For example, there have been significant breakthroughs in drug innovation in recent years, particularly with small interfering RNA drugs and monoclonal antibody therapies, both of which have successfully entered the clinical application stage in various treatment areas.

Additionally, this conference aims to promote international exchange, inviting scholars from North America, Asia, Latin America, and Africa to participate. Our goal is to foster the development, innovation, and creativity in the cardiovascular field through in-depth academic exchanges, while deeply integrating care and compassion for patients in the process

Twenty-five years ago, Professor Liu Lisheng initiated the process of developing hypertension guidelines in China. Over the years, these guidelines have undergone several updates, reflecting both continuity and development. This year, we released the revised Chinese Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension, emphasizing several key aspects while adhering to the principles of effectively managing and controlling hypertension in our country.

There are indeed some differences between the hypertension management guidelines in China and the West, which reflect different areas of focus. Firstly, the primary task is to improve the control rate of hypertension, which can be achieved through two main approaches: one is to increase awareness, aiming to raise the national awareness of blood pressure status to over 70%, currently around 50%; the other is to ensure that patients already on antihypertensive medication achieve their target blood pressure levels, and, if tolerated, even more aggressive target levels. To this end, the new guidelines have specifically added a chapter on blood pressure measurement to promote its widespread use and increase awareness.

In terms of pharmacotherapy, the guidelines have also undergone significant updates. For example, angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors have been included as a commonly used class of antihypertensive medications, serving as options for initiation and maintenance of treatment. This change differs from the European guidelines, which still classify these medications primarily for heart failure patients. However, we believe these drugs have strong antihypertensive effects and will help more patients achieve their target blood pressure, which is expected to significantly improve the control rate of hypertension in China. Additionally, the new guidelines have introduced mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists as a class of drugs, distinguishing them from traditional diuretics, to enhance their role in managing resistant hypertension.

In the past two years, Europe has published two hypertension guidelines: one from the European Society of Hypertension in 2023 on hypertension management, and another during this year's ESC Congress focusing on elevated blood pressure and hypertension management. Although they are different versions, the overarching principles remain very similar, sharing many commonalities with our guidelines. For instance, both guidelines use a diagnostic threshold of blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg for hypertension, which is based on a substantial body of clinical research evidence. Therefore, implementing hypertension management strategies at this diagnostic level ensures that a broad patient population benefits.

However, there are some differences in the European guidelines. For example, the ESC guidelines propose a target range for systolic blood pressure of 120-129 mmHg. This target range may be more idealistic and could encounter significant challenges in practice. Although there are similar suggestions within our guidelines, we do not set such target ranges for treatment. In this regard, considering safety, our guidelines may be more reasonable, as they continue to recommend controlling blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg, and if tolerated, lowering it to a reinforced target of below 130/80 mmHg.

Overall, given the differences in population characteristics, medical resources, and management policies across different countries and regions, both Chinese and Western hypertension management strategies exhibit unique emphases while also reflecting their complementarity. Through mutual learning and exchange, we can continuously refine and optimize our hypertension management guidelines to achieve better health management outcome.

Developing clinical guidelines requires a significant amount of time and in-depth discussion, but even more crucial is the subsequent learning and promotion after the guidelines are formed, ensuring they can be applied and implemented in real medical practice. As the largest cardiovascular academic platform in Asia, the Great Wall Conference bears the important responsibility and obligation of promoting and implementing these guidelines. To this end, we will carefully design a series of academic activities focused on guideline education and promotion within the framework of the conference.

Additionally, various related guidance activities will be conducted during the conference, and we will introduce supportive tools, such as guideline booklets, that clinicians can carry with them for quick reference to important principles and recommendations. This will enable them to base their treatment, management, and control of cardiovascular diseases on the guidelines.

For an academic platform like the Great Wall Conference, we always regard the standardization of diagnosing, managing, and controlling cardiovascular diseases as core academic content. We hope to promote mutual learning and exchange through this platform, significantly enhancing the standardization of cardiovascular disease management and control in our country, thereby improving the cardiovascular health of the population.