TIME100 Health Panel Discusses Efforts to Prevent Heart Disease

February 20, 2026 - 12:54

A distinguished panel convened in New York City to address the critical public health challenge of cardiovascular disease, shifting the focus toward prevention and holistic well-being. The discussion brought together diverse perspectives from medicine, business, and wellness.

Dr. Sadiya Khan, a professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, provided a clinical perspective, underscoring the importance of early intervention and managing risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol long before symptoms appear. She highlighted persistent disparities in heart health outcomes among different communities.

Adding an industry viewpoint, Victor Bultó, president of Novartis U.S., discussed the role of innovation in prevention, from developing new pharmaceutical tools to supporting broader public health initiatives that improve access to care.

Arianna Huffington, founder and CEO of Thrive Global, championed the integral connection between lifestyle and heart health. She argued for a cultural shift that prioritizes sleep, stress management, and recovery as non-negotiable components of cardiovascular prevention, moving beyond traditional medical advice alone.

The consensus among panelists was clear: combating heart disease requires a unified strategy that merges medical science, accessible technology, and fundamental changes to daily lifestyle habits. The event reinforced the message that prevention is a sustainable and powerful path forward for global health.