Remarks by HM the King special session of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress

​Allow me to offer all those coming from abroad a warm welcome to Spain and to our Nation's Capital. It is an honour for me to address you at this Special Session, held on the last day of the European Society of Cardiology Congress. What is probably Europe's largest medical congress has once again been a truly global event, in this Madrid edition, with more than 30,000 registered participants from 170 different countries and territories.

Apart from the numbers, the view from this stage gives a good idea of the true magnitude of this event, because of what you all represent. In a collective sense, this is an enormous and vibrant scientific community coming together, so diverse and so full of young professionals. And in an individual sense, think of when each one of you returns to your universities, hospitals, clinics and laboratories, to step up your work and continue making medical science -and practice- an ethical gold standard for society as a whole.

Doctor Gregorio Marañón, a pre-eminent figure in the history of Spanish medicine and thought, once said: "the true greatness of science is ultimately measured by its usefulness". There is no clearer example than the field of cardiology you all focus on. Therefore, allow me to highlight three basic aspects that I believe clearly sustain and help understand its usefulness -in other words, its greatness. As obvious they may be for you, they are of course of huge significance not only for any individual, but also for the entire global community.

The 1st aspect is the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading cause of death globally, and their consequences in terms of premature deaths, disability and other irreversible impacts on the quality of life of so many, not forgetting the huge demands and strains placed on our public health systems. There, on the front line against disease -whether you are working in hospitals or research centres- your talent and hard work is absolutely vital for all of us.

The 2nd aspect is prevention. All though I would go so far as to say that this aspect deserves the biggest attention and understanding if we truly aim to effectively bend the curve with lower costs, both human and financial. Risk factors such as alcohol, tobacco (even vapers or other similar devices), stress, poor or unbalanced diets (especially containing ultra-processed products), lack of physical exercise, obesity/overweight and sleep disorders (circadian deregulation) may result over time -especially if left unaddressed- in severe illness. Here too, by promoting a healthy living, you play a crucial role. Something that our education systems should also consider to address.

The 3rd aspect is about alerting society to the dangers of exogenous factors, such as pollution and climate change. Human health is inextricably linked to the health of the environments we live in, and your advice, in dialogue and cooperation with other scientific fields, can help us build a better society, that is more aware, more responsible, more sustainable and -given the close ties between health and well-being- happier as well.

"...Over the past few days at this Congress in Madrid, you have once again provided us with a valuable example of dialogue. Because cardiovascular health -as we are reminded by the theme you chose for this year's Congress- is a global challenge, and because knowledge, when it contributes to progress, should encounter no borders..."

Ladies and gentlemen,

In Spain, we are deeply proud of our health system, however much we aim for it to reach even higher grounds: proud of its exceptionally accomplished professionals, proud of its technological resources and proud of the care provided at its hospitals. Public health is one of our greatest collective achievements. Spain, as the Minister said earlier, set a precedent in Europe by adopting a Cardiovascular Health Strategy in April 2022.

The advances in our health system are very closely tied to our recent history, in particular to the close-to five decades of democracy, modernization and social cohesion, with greater rights and freedoms.

They are, too, the most tangible expression of the ethical ideals that guide our actions. Because the most advanced societies are not necessarily those with the most material wealth or technology, but rather those that endeavour to meet the needs of all their members. It is a never-ending task, but one that will always be worth striving to fulfil.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are living in incredibly complex times in which it is more important than ever to meet, to discuss different viewpoints, to share ideas and to think about the future. Over the past few days at this Congress in Madrid, you have once again provided us with a valuable example of dialogue. Because cardiovascular health -as we are reminded by the theme you chose for this year's Congress- is a global challenge, and because knowledge, when it contributes to progress, should encounter no borders.

Please allow me, therefore, on behalf of the Spanish people, to express our gratitude for the more than 1,100 sessions held during these tightly packed days, which I hope have not prevented you from enjoying our hospitality. Thank you, above all, for your commitment to your profession and vocation: for making medicine a constant opportunity for learning.

I urge you to keep this spirit alive because your achievements and your discoveries, to return to the words of Doctor Marañón, will 'enhance the greatness of science', and are -and will continue to be- 'useful' to the betterment of our world. I wish you all, dear participants, a happy and safe journey home.

Thank you very much.​