Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death in the EU. More than four in five deaths from CVDs are caused by heart attacks and strokes. As well as the cost to lives, there is an economic impact, too. CVDs cost the EU €282 billion annually. That is about 2% of the EU’s GDP.

CVDs are associated with several risk factors, including obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, over-consumption of alcohol, air pollution and high blood pressure. Although most CVDs are preventable, some of them - including cardiomyopathies - are not lifestyle-related. They are diagnosed too seldom and often too late.

Given the incidence, mortality and economic cost of cardiovascular diseases, policymakers, along with others, should act now to better protect public health. We are urging support for the call by the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health for a Cardiovascular Health Plan for the EU. It should focus on primary prevention, secondary prevention, early intervention, rehabilitation and quality of life. Science-based policies should be matched by investment in health systems, in prevention and treatment pathways, in access to data and in skilled healthcare professionals.

Let’s keep innovating for better cardiovascular health.