The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has announced that ESC Congress, the world’s biggest gathering of heart specialists, will return to London in 2021 despite the UK’s vote to leave the EU.    London overcame stiff competition from other key European cities in winning the event.

When the ESC last came to London in 2015, it generated £100m of economic benefit for the city, attracting more than 32,700 delegates from 140 countries, according to London & Partners, the official promotional company for London.

The European Society of Cardiology is committed to expanding the boundaries of cardiovascular medicine. According to London & Partners the decision to stage the congress in London comes as the Mayor, Sadiq Khan, adopted the Healthy Streets Approach, prioritising health in transport and planning decisions, and investing £2.1 billion into street schemes that promote walking, cycling and public transport over private car use.

Analysis from the Mayor’s office shows that if every Londoner walked or cycled for 20 minutes a day it would save the National Health Service £1.7 billion in treatment costs over the next 25 years and result in 16,400 fewer cases of heart disease.

The announcement was made during a meeting between Isabel Bardinet, ESC’s Chief Executive Officer, and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, at City Hall.

The European Society of Cardiology brings together health care professionals from more than 140 countries, working to advance cardiovascular medicine and help people lead longer, healthier lives.