Associação de Pessoas com Doenças do Miocárdio (Heart Porto)
Disease(s) Covered
Familial Cardiomyopathies:
- Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy
- Non-compaction cardiomyopathy
Other Rare Cardiac Diseases:
- Sarcoidosis
- Amyloidosis
- Myocarditis
- Pericarditis
- other rare cardiac diseases
Aims of the Organization
Heart Porto-Associação de Pessoas com Doenças do Miocárdio is committed to improving the quality of life of people living with cardiomyopathies and other myocardial diseases, as well as supporting their families and carers. The Association works to promote health, inclusion, and equal opportunities through education, advocacy, and community engagement.
Our aims are to:
- Promote cardiovascular health literacy and raise public awareness of cardiomyopathies, their prevention, early diagnosis, and management;
- Empower patients and families by providing reliable information, education, peer support, and opportunities for active participation in their healthcare;
- Promote Basic Life Support (BLS) training and public awareness of sudden cardiac arrest, encouraging communities to develop life-saving skills;
- Foster partnerships with healthcare professionals, academic institutions, public authorities, schools, businesses, and civil society organizations to improve cardiovascular health outcomes;
- Advocate for the rights, inclusion, and wellbeing of people living with cardiomyopathies, helping to reduce stigma and inequalities in access to healthcare and social participation;
- Develop educational and community-based projects that promote healthy lifestyles, prevention, and social responsibility, particularly among children and young people;
- Strengthen national and international cooperation with organizations that share our commitment to improving the lives of people affected by myocardial diseases;
Heart Porto believes that informed communities, empowered patients, and collaborative partnerships are essential to building a healthier and more inclusive society.
Activities of the Organization
Heart Porto is committed to promoting cardiovascular health, improving health literacy, and enhancing the quality of life of people living with cardiomyopathies and other myocardial diseases. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, the Association develops initiatives that empower patients, families, healthcare professionals, and the wider community.
Our activities include organizing scientific and public awareness events, such as the conference “Sudden Cardiac Death in Cardiomyopathies”, which brought together healthcare professionals, patients, and members of the public to discuss prevention, early diagnosis, and advances in the management of myocardial diseases.
Heart Porto also collaborates with the Simulation Centre of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto in activities marking World Heart Day, promoting cardiovascular health awareness and encouraging the acquisition of life-saving skills through Basic Life Support (BLS) education.
A key initiative currently being implemented is “Hearts of the Future” (Corações do Futuro), an innovative cardiovascular health education programme for school communities. The project will initially be delivered in a school in the city of Porto and is designed to be replicated across other schools, promoting healthy lifestyles, cardiovascular disease prevention, health literacy, and civic responsibility among children and young people.
In parallel, Heart Porto actively develops partnerships with healthcare institutions, universities, public authorities, schools, businesses, and civil society organisations throughout the city of Porto. As a member of the National Human Rights Commission, the Association advocates for the protection of the rights, dignity, and social inclusion of people living with cardiomyopathies and other myocardial diseases, recognising health as a fundamental human right. Heart Porto also participates in the Local Council for Social Action (Conselho Local de Ação Social), working collaboratively with public authorities and community organizations to promote coordinated responses that improve health, social inclusion, and the wellbeing of local communities.
Through these activities, Heart Porto seeks to build a collaborative network that places patients at the centre of care while fostering education, prevention, innovation, and active citizenship in cardiovascular health.
Contact of organization (Email)
Representative
Lúcia Vieira Leite
Second contact person
Professor Elisabete Martins (ERN GUARD-Heart member)