Frequently Asked Questions – Scientific Sessions 2025

What is Scientific Sessions?

The American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions is an annual four-day conference for any and all cardiovascular health care professionals. #AHA25 will feature the newest cardiovascular research, practice-changing science, late breaking studies and presentations, plus guidance and programming for all career levels.

In the next few months, look for:

• Science by Program Focus – 21 specialties of science and discussion appealing to any career level
• Late-Breaking Science and Late-Breaking Basic Science – Developments and updated results in important cardiovascular trials and studies
• Featured Science – Updates in other clinical, population ,and translational cardiovascular science

Keep checking the Programming page for updates.

How much does it cost to attend?

Admission to Scientific Sessions 2025 is based on your AHA Professional Membership status and your career level. In addition, attendees can save hundreds by purchasing registration before the August 18, 2025 Early Bird Deadline!

See the Registration page for more.

Can I attend virtually?

Yes! We're offering a Virtual platform for those who are unable to attend in person. Please see the Registration page for pricing.

What is the difference between In-person attendance and Virtual attendance?

In-person attendees have access to:

• All general sessions
• Friday symposia (note: some symposia and bootcamps require separate registration)
• Late-Breaking Science and Late-Breaking Basic Science sessions
• Free virtual access during the conference

Virtual Attendees can watch:

• Late-Breaking Science and Late-Breaking Basic Science sessions
• Session replay available within 24 hours
• Access to platform for weeks after the conference
• Four days of select sessions in any of four channels - stay tuned for details

Arriving from a country outside the U.S.?

Begin your visa application process as soon as possible. Consulates in some countries take several months to process applications. After you register for the conference, you will receive a confirmation that includes a link to print your invitation letter. You can submit this letter with your visa application to verify the name, dates, location, and purpose of Scientific Sessions 2025.

For further details, see our International Visitors section on the Terms and Conditions page.

How do I follow Scientific Sessions on Social Media?

• Use #AHA25 in your social media posts about the conference.
• Download our Promotional Toolkit to promote your appearance at the meeting.
• Follow the AHA on LinkedIn and AHA Science on X.

Getting to New Orleans

• Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) – Domestic and international flights. 15.4 miles to Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
• Amtrak – Three trains travel to New Orleans:
  • City of New Orleans: Daily service originating in Chicago with stops in Carbondale, Ill., Memphis, Jackson, Miss., and small towns along the way.
  • Crescent: Daily service originating in New York City at Penn Station, with stops in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Charlotte, Atlanta, Birmingham, Meridian, Miss., and small towns along the way.
  • Sunset Limited: Departs 3 days a week from Los Angeles, with stops in Tucson, San Antonio and Houston and small towns along the way.

Getting Around New Orleans

• Rideshare Apps
  
  • Uber– Uber riders should exit Level 1 Baggage Claim Doors 9-11, cross the walkway to the middle curb, and join the queue.
  • Lyft – To ride with Lyft, exit Level 1 Baggage Claim Doors 7-9, cross the walkway to the middle curb, and join the queue.
  • Krewe Car – Krewe Car picks up passengers outside of Level 1 Baggage Claim on the middle curb.
• Taxis – Taxis pick up passengers in a dedicated taxi loading zone on the Arrivals Curb outside of Level 1 Baggage Claim Door 7. Taxi rides cost $36.00 from the airport to the Central Business District (CBD) or French Quarter (west of Elysian Fields) for up to two (2) passengers. For three (3) or more passengers, the fare will be $15.00 per passenger. Taxis are required to accept credit card payments.
• Car Rental – Ten rental companies operate at the airport. The rental car shuttle is available in front of the Long Term Parking Garage. Exit the terminal on Level 1 Baggage Claim and walk towards the Long Term Parking Garage adjacent to the terminal.
• Hotel Shuttles – Some hotels provide a courtesy shuttle to and from the airport. Catch one of these shuttles at the Ground Transportation Center, outside of Level 1 Baggage Claim Doors 1 through 5.

We've expanding our science into FOUR full days! Friday is now the first day of general content, alongside our popular Friday symposia and bootcamps.

Join us for more science than ever before plus:

• Immerse yourself in the latest AI, simulation, and hands-on innovation zones.
• Experience more basic science than ever before, including the latest science discoveries.
• Understand new and recent guidelines with focused tracks to help you navigate the real-world takeaways
• For the first time: HCMS (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Society) is co-locating its meeting alongside Scientific Sessions
• Expect new high-energy learning formats like The Circle - idea-driven sessions rethinking how science is shared
• Explore The Science & Technology Hall for 3 days, Saturday through Monday, with learning theaters, HeartQuarters, and interaction with the products of tomorrow.

Where do I go for Information at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center?

• Hall A Lobby
• Hall D Lobby (with Mobile App Help Desk)
• Lobby D/E (Exhibit hall entry)
• Hall G Lobby

How, where, and when can speakers upload their presentations?

Link to upload your presentation:
https://AHA2025.sessionupload.com
Username: EMAIL
Password:AHA2025! 

Speaker Resource Room Location and Hours: La Nouvelle Ballroom C, Level 2, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

• Thursday, November 6: 3:00 - 5:30 pm
• Friday, November 7: 6:30 am – 5:30 pm
• Saturday, November 8: 6:30 am – 5:30 pm
• Sunday, November 9: 6:30 am – 5:30 pm
• Monday, November 10: 6:30 am – 3:00 pm

While on-site in New Orleans:

• Visit the Speaker Resource Room to upload or review your slide deck before your presentation.
• Arrive at the meeting room 15 minutes before your session starts
• Stick to the allotted time for your presentation. If you go over, moderators will cut you off.

If you have any questions or need clarification about the session format or flow, please contact the moderators of your session.

What is the Science and Technology Hall?

The Science & Technology Hall is a showcase for the latest in cardiovascular and brain health—visit with exhibitors for leading-edge updates in cardiovascular health products and treatments. While you're there, check out these can't-miss opportunities:

When is the General Abstract Submission deadline?

• General abstract submission opens April 9 and closes June 5, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. ET (UTC -4).

When is the deadline for Late-Breaking Science or Late-Breaking Basic Science abstracts?

• Submit Late-Breaking Science and Late-Breaking Basic Science abstracts from June 16 – August 4, 2025, 7:00 p.m. ET (UTC -4).

How do I submit my abstract?

• Visit the Scientific Sessions Submit Science page for the submission link, abstract categories, rules, guidelines, and more.

Are abstract presenters responsible for their expenses associated with participating in Scientific Sessions 2025?

• The presenter is responsible for all expenses (e.g., airfare, lodging, conference registration) associated with the submission and presentation of an abstract. The presenting author of an accepted abstract must register for the meeting to present the abstract.

What is the fee for submitting an abstract?

• There is a non-refundable submission fee for each abstract submitted.
• Standard Abstract Fee Pricing: AHA Professional Members = $45 / Non-Members = $95. Become a Member and Save!
• World Bank Abstract Fee Pricing = Complimentary [please check the LMIC list (PDF) for your country.]

Does AHA Scientific Sessions 2025 accept previously published or presented abstracts?

• The American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2025 is a forum for the presentation of novel research findings.
• The work covered by the abstract must not have been presented at a national or international meeting before presentation at Scientific Sessions 2025 or the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Medical Society Symposium taking place at #AHA25.
• Abstracts associated with a published manuscript can be presented at an AHA scientific event if the manuscript was published after the time the abstract was submitted to the event; however, the abstract will not be published as a part of the journal publication.

To what category should I submit my abstract?

• To ensure your abstract receives proper scientific consideration, be sure to submit to the appropriate abstract category. Abstract categories can be found on the Submit Science page.
• NEW: The HCMS Scientific Session is co-locating with #AHA25. There are separate submission categories for each meeting. Your submission will only be considered for the meeting where submitted.

Can I make edits to my abstract after the submission deadline?

• After the June 5, 2025, 7:00 PM EST/UTC -4 submission deadline, abstracts are no longer accessible and therefore may not be revised in any way or resubmitted. Additions or deletions of author names will not be permitted.
• If accepted, your abstract will be published as submitted; it cannot be edited after the submission deadline. Proofread abstracts carefully to avoid errors before the submission deadline.

When will I know if my abstract has been accepted?

• Abstract acceptance/non-acceptance status will be available by mid-August 2025. Please ensure the email provided for the presenting author is accurate as all correspondences will be sent via email to the presenting author only.
• All communications regarding your abstract will be sent from [email protected]. Please make sure to add this email address to your email contacts to ensure important program participant-related information gets through your spam filters, etc.

Do you accept Literature Review abstract submissions?

• A literature review within the context of a systematic review or meta-analysis research methodology may be considered for acceptance.