The heart of the matter: Why the ACC has an international outreach.

The ACC’s goals with respect to international efforts are as follows: increase international participation in educational activities; increase international knowledge exchange; increase international participation in practice standards and quality initiatives; and increase communication on international activities. At first glance, it might seem odd for an American medical society to have an international presence. What could be the motivation? Is it just a way for the American College of Cardiology (ACC) to increase its membership? Or is it an xpansionistic impulse to influence indigenous care systems with American models? In a ord: no. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a global problem, complex in its manifestaions and mediated by cultural influences, such as diet and lifestyle factors. Comparisons cross the globe of issues and approaches to CVD can provide crucial insights, unattainble within any one homogeneous group. In this President’s Page we want to describe he ACC’s efforts in the international arena.