On 16 December, the European Commission published its long-awaited Cardiovascular Health Plan, the “Safe Hearts Europe Plan”. The Plan is a comprehensive EU strategy to tackle the growing burden of cardiovascular diseases. The plan is structured around three pillars: (1) Prevention, (2) Early Detection and Screening, and (3) Treatment, Care and Rehabilitation. “Safe Hearts Europe” also emphasises digital innovation, research and data, and reducing inequalities. Key actions include the flagship “EU Cares for Your Heart” programme to support the development or update of national cardiovascular plans, a forthcoming Council Recommendation on health checks to harmonise screening, and measures to promote healthy diets, tobacco and alcohol control, and cardiovascular risk reduction in children and young people. The plan also calls for integrated, patient-centred care, improved continuity between primary and specialist services, and expanded use of digital tools. With ambitious targets for 2035 (25% reduction in premature cardiovascular mortality) the Safe Hearts Plan marks a major step toward stronger prevention, earlier diagnosis, and overall better care across Europe. In what concerns cardiomyopathies, the Plan explicitly mentions cardiomyopathies in the screening pillar, calling for their inclusion in the scope of screening and noting that cardiomyopathies contribute to cardiovascular disease burden.
Read the plan here.
