Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Europe, attributed to over 1.8 million deaths per year in the EU and UK. As the European Commission prepares its Cardiovascular Health Plan and the World Health Organization sets out its Non-Communicable Diseases strategy, is there any prospect of Europe reaching a turning point?

A growing issue across Europe

More than 60 million people in Europe live with some form of CVD. Stroke is now the top cause of disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide. In some regions, especially Central and Eastern Europe, death rates are climbing faster than anywhere else.

The reasons are complex. Europe’s population is ageing. Lifestyle-related risks like poor diet, smoking, and lack of exercise remain widespread. And health systems are struggling to keep up with the long-term care needs of chronic patients.

The economic impact is also significant. In 2021, the total cost of cardiovascular disease to the EU was €282 billion. In 2022, preventive services accounted for 5.5 % of the EU’s total healthcare expenditure.

Health Systems Under Pressure

The rising tide of cardiovascular disease is placing enormous pressure on Europe’s health services. Hospitals, clinics, and primary care providers are facing growing demand for long-term management, rehabilitation, and emergency care linked to heart disease and stroke.

In 2021 alone, CVD accounted for nearly €155 billion in direct healthcare and long-term care costs according to Oxford Population Health. That figure continues to climb, driven by the need for specialist services, expensive medications, and repeat interventions. For many health providers, this means more admissions, longer stays, and higher costs per patient.

The financial strain is compounded by workforce shortages and uneven access to care. In some regions, cardiovascular specialists are in short supply. In others, outdated infrastructure limits the ability to deliver modern treatments. These gaps not only affect outcomes – they drive up costs and widen inequalities.

Investing in prevention and early detection could ease this burden. Yet many health systems still prioritise acute care over proactive management. Without a shift in strategy, providers risk being overwhelmed by a disease that is largely preventable.

A New Policy Response Is Taking Shape

The European Commission is preparing a Cardiovascular Health Plan, expected by the end of 2025 – this will be followed by reports from the European Parliament and the Council of the EU The plan is inspired by the purported success of Europe’s Cancer Plan and aims to reduce premature deaths and improve long-term outcomes.

The plan will focus on prevention, early detection, and better data. It will also look at how EU policies on food, alcohol, and tobacco can support healthier lifestyles. Crucially, it’s backed by a broad coalition of patient groups, medical societies, and health tech companies – though industry representatives have warned against complex policy levers such as taxation and food labelling being used as a silver bullet.

In late 2024, EU health ministers gave unanimous support to the initiative. That kind of political unity is rare, and it signals that cardiovascular health is finally getting the attention it deserves.

Learning lessons from the Cancer Plan?

The European Commission’s “Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan,” launched in 2021, was initially met with strong enthusiasm. With a €4 billion budget and emphasis on prevention, early detection, and equitable care, it was seen as a cornerstone of the European Health Union and a model for tackling other non-communicable diseases.

However, recent reviews have revealed a more mixed picture. While the plan has made progress, such as launching flagship initiatives and supporting dozens of EU4Health-funded projects, concerns have emerged about delays and diluted commitments.

One of the biggest criticisms is the lack of follow-through on key prevention policies. Measures expected around tobacco and alcohol control were either postponed or removed entirely from the 2024 roadmap and much of the delivery of the plan is at the behest of national governments. There’s also frustration over the absence of clear outcomes and timelines.

Medical Innovation Is Changing the Game

The new policy is being set at a time of significant medical innovations, which are driving change. New treatments are emerging that could transform how we manage heart disease.

Some diabetes drugs, like semaglutide and tirzepatide, are now being used to reduce heart attacks. Anti-inflammatory drugs like colchicine are showing promise in lowering cardiovascular risk. And new blood pressure medications are helping patients who didn’t respond to older treatments.

Technology is also playing a bigger role. Wearable devices can monitor heart rhythms and detect problems early. And digital tools are helping doctors personalize care in ways that weren’t possible before.

These advances are exciting, but they also raise questions about access, affordability, and equity. These are important issues for policy-makers and raises the importance of health inequalities.

A Moment of Opportunity

Europe is at a turning point. The burden of cardiovascular disease is growing, but so is the momentum for change. With a new EU health plan on the horizon and medical innovation accelerating, there’s a real chance to make progress.

But success will depend on whether the plan can meet growing expectations and an ability to deliver at a national level. A diminished EU health budget and competing priorities at national level could also dampen ambitions.

Grayling can assist in creating the right coalitions, stakeholder engagement and connections across EU institutions and in Member States, in order to shape cardiovascular policy and achieve lasting change.