Abstracts & Awards – Hypertension Scientific Sessions

Read the guidelines for your presentation (s) in the tabs. Use the slide template below for disclosure.

• Faculty Disclosure Template Slide (PPTX)

Overview

To provide the best possible educational environment and ensure efficient handling of audiovisual presentations, please read and follow the guidelines below.

AV Equipment Provided

Technicians will be in each meeting room. Session rooms will be equipped with a 16:9 format screen and LCD projector, lectern with microphone, large display speaker timer and monitor.

Important Slide Formatting and PowerPoint Tips

It is recommended that all PowerPoint presentations be created/submitted in a 16:9 (widescreen) format. Below is how to create your 16:9 PowerPoint:

• Open PowerPoint on your computer.
• From the top menu (depending on the version of PowerPoint you have), select Design, then Page Setup OR File, then Page Setup, OR Design, then slide size, and change Slides sized for to: On-Screen Show (16:9).
• Click OK.
• Set up PowerPoint Page on a PC:
  
  

If you start with the step in creating your presentation, then assemble the PowerPoint as you normally would. If you’re converting an existing slide show, then please check all of the slides for format accuracy.

The widescreen format should not cause any issues with the text in your presentation; however, some images may be stretched as a result. If your presentation has multiple images, we suggest you may transition to widescreen format by saving a copy of your PowerPoint in the 4:3 format under a different name, then converting to widescreen and cutting and pasting the images from the original version into the widescreen version. For optimal legibility, use a maximum of six lines of text and six words per line per slide (equals one frame in an electronic format).

• The maximum size for each individual file is 2Gigabytes. If the file is larger than this, it must be split into 2 separate files prior to uploading. Upload both files and label them clearly as part 1 and part 2 etc.
• PowerPoint files must be saved with the .PPTX format. If the file has a .PPT file extension, it will not be accepted by the system.
• Serif fonts such as Times New Roman do not project well.
• A minimum 24-point font size is recommended.
• Use color for emphasis only. White or yellow lettering on a blue background is attractive and easy to read. DO NOT USE BLUE, RED, or GREEN text.
• Use common image formats that are cross-platform compatible such as JPG, PNG, GIF, and BMP.
• Keep illustrations simple. The significance of data can be grasped more quickly in a simple graph form than in tabular form. Use rounded figures. Use captions sparingly.
• Sound and Video Clips All Multimedia files should be embedded directly into the presentation. Please review your slides and test video/audio functionality before uploading the file. If an additional video file is uploaded, it must be a .MP4 format extension.
• While it is recommended that all PowerPoints are formatted in 16:9, we can accommodate PowerPoints in 4:3. However, please note that when your presentation is displayed on the large screens for the audience, black bars will be on the sides of your presentation slides.
• All PowerPoint files must be labeled with the date, time, and last name of the presenter.
• When building your presentation, all files (PowerPoint and external, such as movie files) associated with your presentation must be loaded separately and saved in the same folder as the rest of your presentation.
• Save your file to a memory stick and bring it with you to the speaker resource room in case there is an error with the uploaded file.

PPTX Presentations

• All presenters must load their PPTX presentations in the speaker resource room onsite at the hotel at least 2 hours prior to the presentation time. If you are speaking in the first session of the morning you will need to load your presentation the day before. The speaker resource room will be open the following hours:
  
  

  2026 Speaker Resource Room hours

  Date	Hours
  Wednesday, Oct. 7	3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  Thursday, Oct. 8	6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  Friday, Oct. 9	6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  Saturday, Oct. 10	6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  Sunday, Oct. 11	6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.



• Updates can be made in the Speaker Resource Room jor a new version can be uploaded through the speaker portal link.
• A technician will show you to a computer station to review your presentation and help you load it onto the computer.
• Once you are done reviewing your presentation, be sure to lot out of the system and any other online resource you may have logged into.
• Presentation are synched with laptops inside your session's designated room. Do not bring a thumb drive or your personal laptop to the session room.
• It is the presenters’ responsibility to collect their media (if applicable) at the conclusion of the session.

Presenter Disclosure – Mandatory

• All presenters are required to have a conflict-of-interest disclosure slide as the first or second slide of their PowerPoint presentation.
• Moderators do not need to have a disclosure slide, but they should verbally disclose to the audience any applicable conflicts of interest when they introduce themselves at the beginning of the session.
• If unlabeled use of a commercial product or an investigational use not yet approved for any purpose is discussed, you must include this information on the disclosure slide. Give the name of the product and disclose that the product is not labeled for the use under discussion or that the product is still investigational. You must also verbally disclose this use to the audience.
• If you are referencing work within your presentation previously published by another author, be sure to include a complete citation at the bottom of the appropriate page.
• Exclude any information from your presentation that may compromise or violate patient confidentiality.

Presentation

Please arrive at your session meeting room at least 15 minutes before the start of your session. A mouse/slide advancer at the lectern will allow you to control/advance the slides during your presentation. The technician will be available throughout the session.

On the floor in front of the lectern, you will find a large plasma monitor where you can view your presentation as seen on the screen. At the end of each session day, all presentations are deleted from the meeting room computers.

If you have questions or concerns regarding this material, please contact Susan Kunish at [email protected].

General Information

A poster presentation consists of a visual display of research highlights on a fiberboard background combined with a question-and-answer period. The content of an effective poster presentation should be direct, focused and concise. Investigators are required to be available for a specified period to discuss methods and results with interested visitors and colleagues. Your confirmation letter provided the date(s) and time(s) of your presentation(s), as well as your presentation number.

Presenters must remain at their poster for the entire scheduled poster session time (see schedule below). The poster board number will correspond with the pre-assigned Presentation Number noted in the final program and provided in your confirmation letter. The final program, which will be included on the conference website provides detailed information.

It's essential that you remove your materials immediately after the end of your presentation because the room will be cleared then to make room for the next poster session or other conference activities. Please remove and discard your poster if you don’t want to keep it.

Failure to present deprives the audience and leaves a space in the program that might have been filled by another presenter. Due to the competitive nature of the program, any unexplained absences may result in the American Heart Association refusing to consider your abstracts at future meetings.

REMINDER! Include all author disclosure information in your poster. Ensure that it's visible to attendees viewing the poster.

Hypertension 2026 Scientific Sessions will offer ePosters again this year to extend the reach of our poster presenters’ research. Poster authors are encouraged to submit a single or multi-page electronic version of their poster file to complement their printed poster. Note that all poster presenters must register and attend in person to present their poster. ePosters are meant to complement the face-to-face program.

You gain greater and long-term exposure and visibility for your poster by making it available online as an electronic file in addition to your printed poster. All posters in the Poster Hall will be provided a corresponding QR Code on the poster board. This will allow the opportunity to scan the code with a smartphone or camera-equipped tablet to view the ePoster, along with the abstract, and any audio narration or video (if provided by the author). Instructions for uploading your ePoster and other media will be emailed to you in the coming weeks from [email protected].

Poster Preparation Guidelines

Poster boards are 4 ft high x 8 ft wide (1.2 m high x 2.4 m wide) less a 2 in (5 cm) frame on all four sides. The surface is fabric-covered fiberboard contained in a 2 in (5 cm) wide aluminum frame and firmly supported on "A-frame" legs. The display stands approximately 7 ft (2.1 m) high.

Note: a 4.24 inch x 11 inch card (10.8 cm x 27.9 cm) card containing your poster’s QR code will be placed on the left side (mid-level) of the board. Please do not cover this card. See diagram below.

Your presentation should contain succinct headings that organize and logically display the information. Graphics should be explicit and brief. Elaboration is best done verbally -- just as if it were an oral presentation using slides. A short legible "Introduction" and a "Summary of Conclusions" are essential.

The poster display should focus on:

• Hypothesis or Objectives
• Methods
• Results or Outcomes

All illustrations (figures, tables, diagrams, equations, etc.) should be developed beforehand. Keep text and figure legends explicit and brief. Illustrations must be read from distances of approximately 4’. Charts, drawings, and illustrations should be similar to those you would use in making slides.

Pushpins and velcro will be provided to mount your poster materials. Do not mount your presentation materials on heavy poster board because they may be difficult to keep in position.

Do not write or draw on the poster board surface or use adhesive putty.

Design, Materials and Production

Sources for Design and Production

• Art department of your institution
• Commercial art schools
• Commercial artists
• Graphic designers
• Advertising Agencies

Background Materials

• Color sheets and film overlays
• Matte and glossy surfaces, most self-sticking brands – Pantone color paper, Pantone color/tint overlays, chartpak
• Hot press illustration board -very smooth, less absorbent surface than regular grade

Printing and Drawing

• Color keys
• Computer systems that are capable of generating large, readable type
• Professionally set type
• Press type (rub on)
• Geotype, Letraset, Chartpak, Formatt
• Border tape (rub on) Same brands as above

Readability of Posters

Poster sessions are viewed by a large audience. To accommodate a group at a single poster presentation, the size of the lettering (type) must be large enough to be legible at a distance of approximately 6 feet (1.8m). The 6 best color combinations to use are listed below. Remember the key is choosing contrasting colors and shades. Simple use of color can add emphasis effectively.

• Black on white
• Red on white
• Green on white
• Blue on white
• White on blue (no diazo)
• White on black

If the presentation is typeset, choose a typeface (design of the type) that is particularly simple and clear (Helvetica, for example). The weight of the type chosen (the thickness of each letter) should be medium or bold.

The actual size of the type is measured in "Points." To be legible at a distance of eight feet, the minimum type size used should be 30 points. Below are suggestions of type for viewing at various distances.

You gain greater and long-term exposure and visibility for your poster by making it available online as an electronic file in addition to your printed poster. All posters in the Poster Hall will be provided a corresponding QR Code on the poster board. This will allow the opportunity to scan the code with a smartphone or camera-equipped tablet to view the ePoster, along with the abstract, and any audio narration or video (if provided by the author). Instructions for uploading your ePoster and other media will be emailed to you in the coming weeks from [email protected].

Poster Printing

The AHA offers discounted poster printing through our preferred poster service provider, Digital Acumen. We recommend you take advantage of the easy and convenient service to have your poster printed, shipped to the meeting and hung on the poster board for you.

Both ePoster files and poster print files are uploaded through the same link that will be emailed to you with your login credentials. Please check your Spam/Junk filter if you do not see the emails in your inbox.

General ePoster Information

• All abstracts accepted for poster presentation will be presented onsite and online through HTN’s ePoster partner, Digital Acumen’s APPRISOR. Poster presenters are required to upload an ePoster.
• ePosters can be viewed from smartphones, laptops, tablets, or computer monitors. The online viewer allows participants to examine every detail of your poster while protecting content from download or re-use.
• Presenting authors will have access to the secure ePoster submission site at https://submit.scientificposters.com/htn(link opens in new window).
• Presenting authors will receive an email with further instructions and login credentials from APPRISOR via [email protected] in September 2026. Please add this email to your contacts list to ensure receipt. If you do not see the email in your inbox by September 15, please check your junk or spam folder.
• This email cannot be sent to multiple recipients. If you are assisting a presenting author with his/her ePoster, s/he must forward the email to you.
• When you log in, you will have access to the Poster Printing Service, templates, FAQs, instructions for recording audio and/or slide advancement, and technical support, all found on the Support page.
• Deadline: ePosters must be uploaded by October 2, 2026.

ePoster Preparation

• ePosters must be uploaded as either PDF or PowerPoint.
• 16:9 is the preferred aspect ratio, but the system will also support 4:3.
• ePosters can be a single page (like a traditional print poster you would bring to the in-person meeting) OR a multi-slide presentation (no more than 8 total slides, excluding the first two slides for Title and Disclosures).
• Only one file can be uploaded per ePoster.
• If you choose to prepare a multi-slide presentation, note that some PowerPoint-specific features such as animations, page transitions, hyperlinks, or “embedded” video or audio are not supported. However, after uploading your PowerPoint or PDF file, you can record audio narration, advance slides, and/or add a content video* within the submission site.
  
   * A video that expands upon the research demonstrated in the poster that clearly supports the content is allowed. A video that serves as a presentation of the ePoster is not allowed and will be disabled.
• Use audio (5 minutes maximum) to enhance the presentation. The online recording tool, or uploaded audio file, will allow you to add narration to your poster and advance your slides.
• Your ePoster should be self-explanatory so that you are free to supplement the information and discuss particular points if you choose to add audio narration.

ePoster Viewing and Discussion

• ePosters will be available to view on-demand beginning on September 4, 2025 when the meeting opens at https://htn.apprisor.org/.
• Participants will be able to contact presenting authors with questions and comments via the Forum - Ask the Author feature which will send an email to the author.
• Access to ePosters will remain available until November 10, 2026.
• After November 10, the HTN 2026 ePoster site will be archived at: https://aha.scientificposters.com, and be available for viewing.

If you have technical questions regarding your ePoster, please contact Digital Acumen at [email protected]. For all other ePoster questions, please contact [email protected].