EHN Position Paper – A European Cardiovascular Health Plan

The European Heart Network (EHN) is pleased to present its new position paper outlining EHN’s proposed priorities and recommendations for the forthcoming European Cardiovascular Health Plan: a comprehensive roadmap to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD), strengthen prevention, empower patients, and address longstanding inequalities across Europe.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the EU, affecting more than 60 million Europeans and costing over €282 billion annually. Deep inequalities persist across regions, genders, socio-economic groups and age cohorts, underscoring the need for a coordinated European response.

EHN’s vision is clear: every person in Europe should be able to grow up and live in a healthy, sustainable environment that supports lifelong cardiovascular health. By 2030, Europe should achieve:

• a 30% reduction in CVD-related premature and preventable deaths,
• a 30% reduction in overall CVD burden, and
• a 20% increase in hypertension control rates.

These targets represent essential indicators of effective prevention, equitable care, and population health improvement.

To turn this vision into action, EHN calls on the European Commission, Parliament, and Council to adopt a European Cardiovascular Health Plan built on three mutually reinforcing pillars, with Health Equity embedded throughout.

Three Pillars for EU Action

1. Prioritise Prevention

The position paper calls for stronger EU action to make healthy choices easier and more accessible for everyone. Key recommendations include:

• Mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling
• Restrictions on HFSS food marketing
• Stronger tobacco and nicotine regulation
• Mandatory alcohol energy and health warnings, alongside taxation measures
• EU air-quality limits aligned with WHO guidance
• Improved environments for physical activity
• Systematic early detection pathways and strengthened primary care

2. Empower Patients

A people-centred approach is essential to improving both outcomes and quality of life. EHN recommends:

• Equitable access to essential CVD medicines
• Expanded cardiac rehabilitation, including telerehabilitation
• Strengthened psychosocial and mental-health support
• Fair access to employment, insurance and financial services
• Systematic patient co-design and involvement across care pathways

3. Strengthen Research & Innovation

To close persistent knowledge gaps and accelerate progress, the EU should:

• Increase dedicated funding for CVD research
• Prioritise sex- and age-specific studies
• Scale cardiovascular registries across Member States
• Strengthen data infrastructure via the European Health Data Space (EHDS)
• Support innovation, including drug repurposing initiatives

Health Equity: A Cross-Cutting Priority

Every action within the future European Cardiovascular Health Plan must be assessed for its impact on equity. Cardiovascular outcomes continue to reflect deep social, economic, cultural and geographic divides, including East–West gaps, gender disparities, and barriers affecting older adults, low-income families and unintegrated migrants.

By 2030, EHN recommends that Europe should achieve:

• a 25% reduction in the East–West gap in premature mortality, and
• a 20% reduction in gender gaps in treatment and rehabilitation access.

A Call for Coordinated European and National Action

The European Union has both the competence and the ethical responsibility to lead a united response to cardiovascular disease. EHN calls on EU institutions to adopt a comprehensive, equity-driven European Cardiovascular Health Plan with:

• binding governance mechanisms,
• secured financing, and
• transparent monitoring and reporting.

EU-level action must be complemented by national commitment. Member States should therefore develop national Cardiovascular Health Action Plans aligned with EU objectives and supported by measurable targets and regular reporting.

Download: A European Cardiovascular Health Plan – EHN Position Paper