European Union policymakers and health experts are moving toward a standardized approach to cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention as the bloc prepares its upcoming Council Recommendation under the Safe Hearts Plan. The initiative aims to shift national healthcare strategies from reactive, fragmented care to systematic, early-detection screening programs, according to discussions at a recent European Parliament event hosted by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) and the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH).
Why is the EU prioritizing cardiovascular screening now?
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death across Europe, prompting the European Commission to structure its Safe Hearts Plan—adopted in December 2025—around three core pillars: prevention, early detection, and treatment, according to Marianne Takki, Head of Unit at DG SANTE. MEP Aurelijus Veryga (ECR, Lithuania) noted that while the risk factors for heart disease have been documented for decades, the current legislative focus aims to establish clearer targets, secure dedicated funding, and demand stronger political commitment from individual Member States.
People with type 2 diabetes have about four times higher risk of cardiovascular disease, according to Bart Torbeyns, Executive Director at the European Diabetes Forum (EUDF).
What can other nations learn from the Greek model?
Greece has transitioned from opportunistic, fragmented screening to a nationwide system that provides free cardiovascular checks for citizens aged 30 to 70. Eirini Agapidaki, the Greek Alternate Minister for Health, reported that almost 4 million citizens have already undergone cardiovascular screening through Greece’s programme. The system utilizes digital invitations and integrated care pathways to ensure coverage even in remote regions. Agapidaki argued that these outcomes prove that prevention functions as a long-term investment rather than a healthcare cost.
How do regional disparities affect screening success?
Despite successful national models, implementation across the EU remains uneven. Katherine de Bienassis, a Health Policy Analyst at the OECD, noted that fewer than half of EU countries currently operate structured national cardiovascular health check programs. Lithuania provides a contrasting example: while the country has operated a screening program for nearly two decades, Dr. Tomas Lapinskas, President of the Lithuanian Society of Cardiology, identified persistent regional inequalities and low participation rates in some areas as significant hurdles to success.
Pro Tips for Effective Screening
- Integrate Care: Health checks must be connected to follow-up care; otherwise, they represent a “missed opportunity,” according to the OECD.
- Patient Engagement: Awareness campaigns alone are often insufficient to change behaviour unless patients identify with the person asking them to change, according to stroke survivor and advocate Paul Quinn.
- Standardize Parameters: Radka Lang, Vice-chair of the EFPIA Cardiovascular Health Platform, recommends every person receive a comprehensive cardiometabolic risk assessment by age 35.
What are the next steps for the Safe Hearts Plan?
As Lithuania prepares for its upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Vice-Minister of Health Laimutė Vaidelienė stated the goal is to move Europe “from fragmentation to coherence.” The focus for future guidance includes strengthening primary care capacity, improving data interoperability, and ensuring that healthcare workers have the digital tools and workforce support necessary to manage large-scale screening. Victoria Tzouma, Chair of the EFPIA Cardiovascular Health Platform, emphasized that structured programs are cost-effective tools that can reduce hospitalisations and emergency care costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Safe Hearts Plan?
It is an EU-wide initiative adopted in December 2025 designed to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease through improved prevention, early detection, and treatment protocols.
Who is the target demographic for the proposed screening?
Advocates, including Radka Lang of the EFPIA, have proposed that every individual should receive a comprehensive cardiometabolic risk assessment by age 35, with regular reassessment thereafter.
Why are integrated pathways important?
According to experts like Dr. Walter Marrocco of the Italian Federation of General Practitioners (FIMMG), primary care physicians require clear referral pathways and digital support to ensure that screening results lead to actual clinical outcomes rather than just data collection.
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