BigData@Heart project is breaking new ground in the development of treatment for millions of patients with heart disease in Europe.

The objective of BigData@Heart is to develop a data-driven translational research platform of unparalleled scale and phenotypical resolution, with the aim to improve patient outcomes and reduce the societal burden of atrial fibrillation, heart failure and acute coronary syndrome.

The 19 partners of the BigData@Heart consortium, coming from academia, medical associations, the pharmaceutical industry, SMEs and patient organisations are:

• University Medical Center Utrecht
• Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
• European Society of Cardiology
• European Heart Network
• University College London
• University of Cambridge
• International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement
• Fundación para la investigación del Hospital Clinico de la Comunidad Valenciana
• Karolinska Institutet
• Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
• MLC Foundation
• University of Birmingham
• Uppsala Clinical Research Center, Uppsala University
• BAYER
• NOVARTIS
• SERVIER
• SomaLogic
• Vifor Pharma
• The Hyve

Please click here for the BigData@Heart press release on this project. 

In July 2017 EHN adopted a position paper on Air pollution and cardiovascular diseases.  The aim of this paper is to provide information about the impact of air pollution on cardiovascular health; when we refer to air pollution, this is outdoor air pollution unless otherwise indicated.  The paper presents recommendations to policy makers for action to reduce exposure to this risk factor

EHN has co-signed a joint open letter to Ministers presenting suggestions to the ongoing negotiations on the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) relating to commercial communications.

Today three health and consumer organisations (including EHN) together with five food companies call for the urgent adoption of nutrient profiles in the context of the EU regulation on nutrition and health claims made on foods (Regulation EC 1924/2006). The nutrient profiles should have been proposed by the European Commission in January 2009 - no proposal has been forthcoming as of May 2017.

EHN expresses disappointment in the outcome of the Culture Committee vote today on the Audiovisual Media Services Directive.

Time to put words into action: 14 Health NGOs ask the MEPs in the CULT committee to reduce child exposure to unhealthy foods and alcohol.

EHN welcomes the commitment of six food giants (The Coca-Cola Company, Mars, Mondelez, Nestlé, PepsiCo and Unilever) to a robust nutrition labelling scheme that helps consumers make balanced and mindful choices, but urges caution as research shows no evidence that the provision of nutrition information on a per portion basis can reduce consumption.

The publication of the new report on European Cardiovascular Disease Statistics 2017 will be the basis of a debate today in the European Parliament in Brussels.

In direct contrast to the conclusions of a recent speech by WHF past-President Dr Salim Yusuf, the EHN Expert Group on Nutrition asserts that there is no reason to question current nutrition recommendations.  Please read the EHN statement here.

According to a report issued this St. Valentine’s day by the European Heart Network (EHN), cardiovascular disease now costs the EU economy ‚¬210 billion a year.

The report, the fifth edition of European Cardiovascular Disease Statistics, confirms that the fall in death rates from heart disease and stroke over recent decades is a sustainable trend. A development welcomed by the EHN which plays a leading role in the prevention and reduction of cardiovascular disease through advocacy, networking, capacity-building and patient support.

However, the report also confirms that considerable inequalities in the burden of these diseases persist across the European region.