Following Burgon’s talk at the International Forum, Philip Devereaux of McMaster University spoke about Canada’s unique place in the world of cardiovascular medicine. Not only is cardiovascular disease (CVD) the leading cause of death globally but by 2020, the incidence in developing countries is expected to increase 120 per cent for women and 137 per cent for men. In developed countries, the increase is expected to be 30 and 60 per cent, respectively.