Prof. Krzysztof Narkiewicz awarded honorary membership of the European Society of Hypertension

13.06.2025

During this year’s Congress of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH), held at the end of May in Milan, Prof. Krzysztof Narkiewicz, Head of the Department of Hypertension & Diabetology at the Medical University of Gdańsk (MUG), was honoured with the title of Honorary Member of the ESH.

This prestigious title is awarded to scholars whose work has made a particularly significant contribution to the advancement of hypertension research – both in terms of basic science and clinical practice—as well as to those most actively involved in the Society’s activities. Professor Narkiewicz was recognised for his longstanding research on the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of arterial hypertension, sleep apnea, heart failure, and diabetes, which have formed the basis for hundreds of scientific publications in the most prestigious international journals.

– This is an immense honour, which I accept with humility and gratitude – said Professor Narkiewicz. I value it all the more because the European Society of Hypertension has been, for me, not only an international community of researchers who share my scientific interests. It is a community that has shaped my approach to medicine, research, and collaboration over the years. Without all the people I have met along the way, I would not be where I am today – he added.

Other representatives of the Department of Hypertension at the MUG also participated in this year’s ESH Congress in Milan, confirming the University’s strong presence on the international map of hypertension research. Jacek Wolf, Ph.D., D.Sc., focused on hypertension control among high-risk patients, while Assoc. Prof. Anna Shalimova, Ph.D., D.Sc. presented the results of research on the impact of war-related stress on the development and progression of arterial hypertension and cardiovascular diseases in a group of female refugees from Ukraine.

Gdańsk to host the ESH 2026 Congress

A further source of pride is the fact that the next Congress of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH 2026), scheduled for 28th – 31st May, will be held in Gdańsk. This leading event in the field of cardiovascular medicine in Europe gathers hundreds of experts, clinicians, and researchers from around the world every year. The upcoming edition will be the 35th in the series.

– We are facing a year of intense work, but also a great opportunity. Gdańsk – as the host city – and the MUG – as the Congress’ partner institution – will have the chance to showcase Polish scientific achievements, as well as its clinical and research potential and renowned hospitality at its finest – said Prof. Narkiewicz, who is the initiator of the Congress being held in Poland. – The event’s programme will include presentations of the latest research findings, therapies, as well as innovations in telemedicine and population health. Our ambition is to strengthen the position of the Gdańsk clinical centre on the scientific map of Europe and next year’s meeting offers an excellent opportunity to do so.

Prof. Krzysztof Narkiewicz is an internationally renowned expert in the field of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, and the author of nearly 500 publications on these subjects. Between 2009 and 2011, he served as President of the European Society of Hypertension and has repeatedly contributed to the development of European guidelines on the treatment of arterial hypertension.

He is the Head of the Department of Hypertension & Diabetology at the MUG and the leader of the university’s priority research area in cardiology and cardiovascular medicine. Translational Medicine Centre, established in 2019 on his initiative, with the aim of implementing transdisciplinary projects in which the assessment of cardiovascular structure and function, may have both cognitive and clinical significance. In March of this year, he was awarded the Sopot Muse Prize for outstanding achievements and contributions to the field of science.

Photo. AIM Group, Agnieszka Anielska/MUG