World View

Countries globally face major challenges in the early diagnosis and treatment of hypercholesterolaemia and cardiovascular disease, with numerous health inequities by geography and income. Perseverance, hard work, integrity and commitment can transform aspiration into reality. My PCSK9 story, from the discovery of its implication in familial hypercholesterolemia to the development of life-saving drugs, is a real example.

The proportion of female cardiologists is increasing in China, and they have special roles in clinical management and research. As the president of the Chinese Society of Cardiology, I believe female cardiologists excel in finding ways to balance family life with their career goals when they receive adequate support.

Women who are health providers face unique challenges when building their careers. Despite this, African female cardiologists should have a role in building equitable health systems and minimizing gender disparities in health care by mentoring girls and young women who aspire to a career in medicine and science.

As a Brazilian female cardiologist who has held leadership positions since my 40s, I understand the difficulties that women face in trying to achieve recognition and senior positions. I believe the awareness and joint efforts of both women and men can help build a more equitable future.

When I have encountered obstacles in the three decades of my career, I have found that self-confidence and courage are the most effective traits for achieving my goals as a female cardiologist.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a breakthrough technology to replace the aortic valve in patients with severe aortic stenosis using simple cardiac catheterization instead of thoracic surgery. Initiated 20 years ago by my colleagues and me, TAVI has been performed in >1.5 million patients globally and has profoundly altered the landscape of cardiovascular medicine.