Cardiovascular health: Council calls for more robust efforts to help prevent cardiovascular diseases

The Council is calling for more robust efforts to help prevent cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading cause of death in the European Union. In conclusions approved today, the Council puts forward a series of measures aimed at improving cardiovascular health in the EU, focusing specifically on prevention, early detection, treatment and rehabilitation.

 

 

“Cardiovascular diseases have a devastating impact on individuals and their families, yet in most cases they can be prevented by addressing underlying risk factors through healthier lifestyle choices. Screening and better access to treatment are essential elements to reduce the impact of CVDs. Today’s conclusions reflect our commitment to improving cardiovascular health throughout the EU”.

Péter Takács, Hungarian Secretary of State for Health

In its conclusions, the Council pushes for particular attention to be given to preventive measures such as improving health literacy, raising awareness about cardiovascular health, and discouraging unhealthy lifestyle choices like tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption or an unhealthy diet.

The Council also calls on member states to ensure equal access to cardiovascular healthcare, incorporate screening into regular health checks, and strengthen training for healthcare workers.

Finally, the Council invites the Commission to take comprehensive action to help reduce the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in the EU, emphasising not only health promotion and prevention but also screening, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation, and advancing research and innovation.

Background

Cardiovascular diseases affect the heart and circulatory system, and include heart failure, strokes, heart arrhythmia, high blood pressure and cardiomyopathy. They account for around a third of all deaths in the EU and are key contributors to morbidity and disability. They can also have a significant economic impact, both for healthcare systems and in terms of productivity.

Reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases, and in particular cardiovascular diseases, is one of the priorities of the Hungarian presidency. Today’s conclusions build on discussions that took place during the informal meeting of EU health ministers in Budapest on 24 July.

More information: Council of the European Union.