M E D I A A D V I S O R Y

Conference Set on Aging and Heart Disease Connections,

Complexities

Expertsgather to discuss new insights in research that goes from lab to clinic

What: The Aging Heart: A Roadmap to Cardiac Independence

An American Federation for Aging Research

Scientific Conference

Where: The Union Club

101 East 69th Street

NYC

When:Tuesday, October 6, 2009, 8:30am - 4:30pm

The links between age and heart disease are complex, involving more than the passage of time. Research on the biology of aging coupled with a new appreciation of the age-associated changes in cardiac physiology have provided important insights into the aging heart’s increased susceptibility to disease. Understanding the interactive roles of aging in cardiovascular diseases is critical in laying the foundation for the discovery and development of new cardiac treatment and prevention strategies.

This one-day conference will explore fundamental aspects of aging and cardiovascular diseases as well as therapies currently being developed for the aging heart. Leading investigators will address the physiologic, cell and molecular biology and genetic changes that increase the impact of cardiovascular diseases in the older population. Topics will include the role of gender, cardiac myocyte energy utilization and vascular dysfunction as well as environmental influences on the aging heart. The conference will also include a session with experts in translational medicine describing clinical strategies currently being developed to address the specific needs of the aging heart, including biological therapies such as stem cell technologies.

Featured speakers include:

Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, Mount SinaiSchool of Medicine

Roger Hajjar, MD, Mount SinaiSchool of Medicine

Edward G. Lakatta, MD, National Institute on Aging

Laura Niklason, MD, PhD, YaleSchool of Medicine

Hazel Szeto, MD, PhD, WeillMedicalCollege of CornellUniversity

A full program listing can be found at

Contact: Stacey Harris

American Federation for Aging Research

212-703-9977

Support for this meeting was provided by Anonymous, The Ellison Medical Foundation, GE Healthcare, The Nancy Renick Memorial Fund, and sanofi-aventis.

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The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support biomedical research on aging. It is devoted to creating the knowledge that all of us need to live healthy, productive, and independent lives. Since 1981, AFAR has awarded approximately $124 million to more than 2,600early and mid-career scientists and medical students as part of its broad-based series of grant programs. Its work has led to significant advances in our understanding of aging processes, age-related diseases, and healthy aging practices. AFAR communicates news of these innovations through its organizational web site and educational web sites Infoaging ( and Health Compass (