To celebrate World Heart Day and the first EU Screening Week, EHN is highlighting activities organised by its members across Europe. Discover how EHN members are marking World Heart Day and supporting the first EU Screening Week through screening, prevention and awareness activities across Europe.
The Dutch Heart Foundation is organising two public Hartcheckpunten (Heart Checkpoints) on 29 September in Utrecht and Alkmaar. People aged 40 to 70 can have their blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and body mass index measured free of charge. Trained health advisers will explain the results and provide personalised guidance on possible next steps and ways to support heart health.
Date and time: 29 September 2026, 10:00–16:00
Locations:
The two events form part of a wider programme of Heart Checkpoints taking place across the Netherlands. Find a Heart Checkpoint
View the activity on the EU Screening Week portal
The Irish Heart Foundation is partnering with more than 50 iconic buildings across Ireland, which will light up red to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease. Participating landmarks include Leinster House, the Custom House, Collins Barracks, Dublin Castle, the Four Courts, Kilkenny Castle, Cork City Hall and the Dunbrody Famine Ship.
The illuminations form part of a wider programme of World Heart Day activities, including:
Visit the Irish Heart Foundation website
The Spanish Heart Foundation (FEC) and the Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC) organised a wide-ranging programme combining cardiovascular screening, physical activity, education and public engagement.
From 24 to 29 September, visitors to the Spanish Heart House in Madrid could take part in free cardiovascular risk assessments. Healthcare professionals measured blood pressure, body mass index and lipid profiles, including cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Using a digital tool based on European Society of Cardiology guidelines, participants received a personalised report on their cardiovascular health.
The German Heart Foundation (Deutsche Herzstiftung) marked World Heart Day 2026 with its nationwide “Take EIGHT for a Strong Heart” campaign, encouraging people to better understand and manage their cardiovascular risk.
Based on Life’s Essential 8, the campaign focuses on eight key factors for cardiovascular health: blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, smoking, blood sugar, nutrition, sleep and physical activity. Together with German cardiologists and pharmacists, the Foundation provided educational and campaign materials and encouraged partners to organise local activities, including heart health checks, information events and awareness initiatives.
Visit the German Heart Foundation campaign page
The Finnish Heart Association marked EU Screening Week with a nationwide blood pressure campaign, encouraging people to check their blood pressure and know their numbers. Member organisations and pharmacies supported the campaign through educational events, guidance on home blood pressure monitoring and opportunities for the public to measure their blood pressure.
The Czech Alliance for Cardiovascular Disease (ČAKO) is organising a series of public cardiovascular screening and awareness events in Cvikov, Prague and Liberec. At each event, participants can have their lipid profile measured using a capillary blood test, alongside checks of their blood glucose, waist circumference and blood pressure. A specialist physician assesses each participant’s cardiovascular risk and explains the results.
If familial hypercholesterolaemia or another serious condition is identified, participants are referred for further assessment through the appropriate care pathway. Across the programme, more than 800 people are typically screened and informed about cardiovascular prevention.
The Croatian Heart House and Croatian Cardiac Society organised “Don’t Miss a Beat”, a public cardiovascular risk assessment event in Zagreb. Activities included blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and BMI checks, alongside nutrition and physical activity advice, CPR training and screening activities in Croatian hospitals.
The Lithuanian Heart Association brought healthcare professionals, educators, students and members of the public together in Vilnius under the theme “Don’t Miss a Beat.” The event offered educational activities, cardiovascular health screenings and consultations with experts. Participants could learn more about the principal risk factors for cardiovascular disease, the importance of prevention and why everyone should know their health numbers.