The European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH) has contributed to the European Commission’s public consultation on the proposed Council Recommendation on cardiovascular health checks.

The proposal reflects consolidated inputs from the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH) and its partners, and acknowledges proposals supported by several EACH partners and medical communities for a Cardiovascular-Renal-Metabolic (CVRM) Health Check Protocol.

In its submission, EACH supports the development of a coordinated, evidence-based European framework for cardiovascular health checks aligned with the objectives of the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan – Safe Hearts Plan. The proposal highlights the importance of prevention, early detection and equitable access to cardiovascular care across the life course.

The proposal is built around several guiding principles, including life-course prevention, early risk detection, equity and inclusion, and integrated care pathways. It promotes a combination of systematic health checks, risk-based screening and opportunistic detection approaches, alongside stronger referral, treatment and long-term follow-up pathways.

The proposed EU Cardiovascular Health Check Protocol consists of a life-course structure for screening and prevention, a minimum core dataset for cardiovascular risk assessment, additional risk-based modules, improved identification of high-risk and inherited conditions, and structured follow-up and care pathways linked to guideline-based intervention and personalised care.

The proposal also underlines the importance of accessibility, health equity, stronger primary care integration and coordinated implementation across Member States, while recognising different national healthcare systems, capacities and resources.

Read the EACH proposal for a European Cardiovascular Health Check Protocol

Consult the European Commission consultation page: Cardiovascular diseases – health checks

27–28 April 2026 | Brussels and online (hybrid)

The European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH) highlights the upcoming PERFECTO Closing Event, titled “Advancing Screening for Inherited Lipid Disorders – Untapped Potential for the Safe Hearts Plan in Europe.”

The event is organised by the FH Europe Foundation, coordinator of the EU4Health-funded PERFECTO project and a member of EACH, and is held under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It will take place in a hybrid format in Brussels, at the Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the European Union, and online.

Why this event matters

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality in Europe. Inherited lipid disorders, including familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) and elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], are significant but underdiagnosed risk factors.

This high-level EU Presidency event will bring together policymakers, clinicians, researchers, patient organisations and representatives from EU institutions to advance the transition from evidence to implementation. Discussions will focus on scaling up early detection and screening strategies across Member States.

The event contributes directly to EU priorities on health system resilience, prevention and citizen wellbeing, in line with the Strategic Agenda 2024–2029 and the Trio Programme.

Endorsement

The event is endorsed by leading international cardiovascular and patient organisations, including the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH).

Registration

More information and registration are available at:
https://perfecto-fh.eu/perfecto-closing-event/

The European cardiovascular and cancer communities call on EU policymakers to ensure that health remains a clearly identifiable and sufficiently resourced priority within the future European Competitiveness Fund and the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

Together, cardiovascular disease and cancer account for nearly 3 million deaths each year in the European Union and are estimated to cost the EU close to €500 billion annually. Beyond their human impact, these conditions generate substantial avoidable healthcare expenditure, productivity loss, and social security costs, affecting workforce participation, innovation capacity, and public finances across Member States.

Chronic diseases require coordinated European action. EU flagship initiatives such as the EU Safe Hearts Plan and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan reflect this growing recognition and provide a strong framework for improving prevention, care, and health system resilience.

The European Competitiveness Fund will be a central instrument in shaping Europe’s industrial capacity and strategic autonomy, supporting sustainable growth and long-term value creation. In this context, cardiovascular and cancer prevention and care are not only public health priorities but also key enablers of Europe’s competitiveness, productivity, and social sustainability.

Investment in health delivers dual returns: improved population health and stronger economic performance. A healthier population translates into higher labour market participation, more productive working lives, and reduced pressure on health and social care systems. The EU4Health programme has demonstrated the value of a dedicated EU health instrument in strengthening prevention, cooperation, and preparedness—an approach that must be preserved.

As discussions on the future EU budget progress, we call on policymakers to:

• Ensure health remains a standalone priority with strong, ringfenced and dedicated funding
• Safeguard the visibility, predictability and scale of EU investment in health within the European Competitiveness Fund
• Support implementation of both the EU Safe Hearts Plan and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan through the full period of the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–34
• Recognise health as a strategic driver of competitiveness, particularly in life sciences, medical technologies, and digital health
• Strengthen the resilience and crisis preparedness of health systems in the face of geopolitical challenges and future shocks

We stand ready to work with EU institutions and Member States to ensure that Europe’s competitiveness agenda fully reflects the strategic importance of investing in health.

Funding health is not a cost — it is a strategic investment in Europe’s future.

As the European Parliament lead committee on the Report on the Regulation establishing the European Competitiveness Fund, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) holds a decisive responsibility in safeguarding Europe’s progress, ambition, and global leadership in the fight against cancer.

Against this backdrop, and with the deadline to table amendments set for 6 May, the EU’s cancer and cardiovascular communities urge all members of the ITRE Committee to table targeted amendments, prioritising the following statement:

‘The EU4Health programme has demonstrated its value as a transformative instrument for strengthening public health systems and securing the Union’s strategic autonomy. Recognising that a healthy population and a resilient workforce are fundamental to European competitiveness, health must remain a standalone programme with strong levels of dedicated funding to implement the EU Safe Hearts Plan and sustain the progress of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.’

AMENDMENT:

Heading 2: Competitiveness, Prosperity, and Security
Original Structure	Proposed revised Structure
04 — Competitiveness Fund	04 — Competitiveness Fund
04 02 — European Competitiveness Fund 04 02 01 — Clean transition and decarbonisation 04 02 02 — Health and bioeconomy 04 02 03 — Digital leadership 04 02 04 — Resilience, Defence Industry and Space 04 02 05 — Competitiveness Hub and Cross-cutting Competitiveness Actions 04 02 06 — Contribution to ECF InvestEU Instrument	04 02 — European Competitiveness Fund 04 02 01 — Clean transition and decarbonisation 04 02 02 — Health and bioeconomy 04 02 02 (new) – Health 04 02 03 (new) – Bioeconomy 04 02 03 — Digital leadership 04 02 04 — Resilience, Defence Industry and Space 04 02 05 — Competitiveness Hub and Cross-cutting Competitiveness Actions 04 02 06 — Contribution to ECF InvestEU Instrument

We also call on all partners, stakeholders and broader cardiovascular and cancer communities to actively approach Members of the European Parliament and urge them to reflect these priorities in their draft reports.

A Joint Appeal to EU Leaders to Keep Health at the Core of EU Priorities

Brussels, 20 April 2026 – The European cardiovascular health and cancer communities have issued a direct appeal to EU Heads of State and Government to make health investment a sustained priority ahead of their European Council (EUCO) Summit on 23–24 April.

The joint statement, signed by the European Alliance on Cardiovascular Health (EACH) and the European Cancer Organisation (ECO), calls for health to remain clearly identifiable and adequately resourced within both the future European Competitiveness Fund and the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034. Cardiovascular disease and cancer are the leading causes of mortality in the European Union. Together, they are responsible for nine million diagnoses and almost three million deaths each year. Beyond the profound human toll, these conditions cost the EU close to €500 billion annually , driving up avoidable healthcare costs, reducing workforce productivity, and adding pressure on social systems.

The time for political action is now

EU citizens consistently rank public health among their top priorities for EU investment, as reflected in the latest Eurobarometer findings . Members of the European Parliament have also given overwhelming support for a dedicated EU health programme within the next long-term budget . However, health is not yet treated as the political priority it must be—despite its scale, cost and impact. It is now up to EU Heads of State and Government to translate this ambition into concrete investment and policy commitments. 2 3

If Europe is to remain resilient in the face of geopolitical instability, economic pressure, and future health crises, it must significantly scale up investment in cardiovascular and cancer care. These areas represent the highest disease burden and are among the most vulnerable when health systems come under strain.

The joint statement calls on EU Heads of State and Government to:

• Ensure that health remains a standalone priority with sufficient, dedicated, and ringfenced funding
• Safeguard the visibility, predictability and scale of EU investment in health within the European Competitiveness Fund
• Support the full implementation of both the EU Safe Hearts Plan and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan throughout the full period of the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-34
• Recognise health as a strategic driver of European competitiveness, particularly in life sciences, medical technologies, and digital health
• Strengthen the resilience and crisis preparedness of health systems in the face of geopolitical challenges and future shocks

Quotes:

Dr Isabel Rubio, President of the European Cancer Organisation said: ‘The burden of cancer in Europe continues to grow, costing millions of lives and placing increasing strain on our health systems and economies. This is not sustainable. We need a standalone EU health budget to deliver real solutions. The decisions taken on the EU Multiannual Financial Framework will determine whether Europe accelerates progress or loses momentum in cancer care.’

Professor Thomas Lüscher, President of the European Society of Cardiology and representative of EACH said: ‘Cardiovascular health is the bedrock on which broader population health, economic resilience and societal stability are built. When we invest in prevention and care, we reduce long‑term costs, strengthen productivity and enable Europe to better withstand future shocks. Health policy must be recognised as an essential component of Europe’s competitiveness strategy.’

Notes to editors

1 – The close to €500 estimation was created by summing data offered from the European Heart Journal and the Swedish Institute for Health Economics.

2 – Standard Eurobarometer 104 – Autumn 2025 – On the question QF3ab: ‘ And on which of the following would you like EU budget to be spent firstly? Any others?’ the answer ‘Employment, social affairs and public health was placed on top, maintaining stable support when compared to the previous edition.

3 – On 4 February 2026, the European Parliament called for the EU to renew its political commitment, funding and coordination to support full implementation of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, with 427 votes in favour, 15 against and 93 abstentions. The call also highlighted the need for a dedicated EU health programme in the next EU’s long-term budget. More information here.

The full joint statement is available here.

About EACH

The European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH) brings together 23 leading European and international organisations to promote cardiovascular health as a policy priority at EU level. The Alliance provides a platform to aggregate knowledge and expertise of key stakeholders active in the field of cardiovascular health, and to advise and guide policymakers. The Alliance calls for greater focus on improving cardiovascular health and reducing the burden cardiovascular disease at European level.

About the European Cancer Organisation

The European Cancer Organisation (ECO) is the largest non-profit, multi-professional federation in the European cancer community. It brings together hundreds of different professional societies and patient groups to advocate for more effective, efficient, and equitable cancer care. More information is available here.

7 May 2026 | 09:30 – 11:30 CEST
European Parliament (SPINELLI 1H1), Brussels

MEP Aurelijus Veryga (ECR, Lithuania), Member of the European Parliament’s Interest Group on Cardiovascular Health, will host a high-level event on early detection and prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), bringing together policymakers, healthcare professionals, patient representatives and other key stakeholders. The event is organised by the EFPIA Cardiovascular Health Platform in collaboration with EACH.

The discussion will focus on the importance of strengthening prevention and early diagnosis of CVD. In particular, it will explore how comprehensive health check programmes can support earlier detection, reduce inequalities and improve outcomes across Member States, in the context of recent EU policy developments, including the EU Safe Hearts Plan and the proposed Council Recommendation on cardiovascular health checks.

Building on this momentum, the event aims to provide a platform for discussions between EU and national-level stakeholders on the current landscape of health check programmes across the EU. It will also promote dialogue between policymakers, scientific societies, clinicians and patient representatives.

The event will feature keynote interventions and two interactive panel discussions, fostering exchange on best practices, implementation challenges and opportunities to support more coordinated and effective approaches to cardiovascular health checks across Europe.

Moderator: Prof. Michal Vrablik, Professor of Internal Medicine at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic

For more information, please visit the EFPIA event page.

On 8 April 2026, MEP Romana Jerković will host a cardiovascular health initiative at the European Parliament, organised with the support of the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH) and the Croatian Hypertension League.

Taking place in the Spinelli building, the initiative will bring cardiovascular prevention directly into the heart of EU policymaking, highlighting the importance of early detection and routine screening. It will also demonstrate how prevention can be integrated into everyday settings, including the workplace.

The initiative comes at an important moment for EU health policy. Cardiovascular health is now firmly on the EU political agenda, with the EU Safe Hearts Plan and a forthcoming Council Recommendation on a common protocol for cardiovascular health checks strengthening the focus on prevention and early detection across Europe.

At the heart of the event is a simple but powerful message: know your numbers. Many cardiovascular risk factors, including high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes, can remain silent for years. Early detection gives people the information they need to seek follow-up care, make lifestyle changes and reduce their risk of heart attack or stroke.

Programme and activities

The programme will begin with opening remarks from 12:00 to 12:30, including contributions from MEP Jerković, MEP Adam Jarubas, Dr Ivan Pećin, Vice-President of the Croatian Hypertension League, and a message from European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.

Cardiovascular health testing will then take place in an open, drop-in format from 12:30 to 14:30 for Members of the European Parliament and parliamentary staff.

Healthcare professionals will provide a range of cardiovascular screenings, including blood pressure measurement, blood glucose and cholesterol testing, body composition analysis, Lipoprotein(a) measurement and albuminuria screening. Participants will receive their results immediately, helping to raise awareness of individual risk factors and encouraging follow-up where appropriate.

A lifestyle coach will also be available on site for participants who would like guidance on maintaining or improving a healthy lifestyle. The coach will offer short, structured conversations based on insight, motivation and action, taking place after the measurements and focusing on one or more of Life’s Essential 8 factors, such as nutrition, physical activity, sleep and smoking cessation.

Photo gallery

The updated Stroke Action Plan for Europe (SAP-E), a joint initiative of the European Stroke Organisation (ESO) and the Stroke Alliance for Europe (SAFE), has been published in the European Stroke Journal.

The updated Plan:

• Highlights both progress achieved and persistent gaps in stroke prevention, emergency care, rehabilitation and life after stroke across Europe;
• Presents data collected from European countries through the Stroke Service Tracker;
• Sets out a clear roadmap with actionable targets and measurable benchmarks to reduce the burden of stroke by 2030;
• Serves as a call to action, stressing that every European country should have a funded and fully implemented national stroke strategy.

Key messages

Implementation of the Stroke Action Plan for Europe (2018–2030) began in 2019. This mid-term update reflects current challenges for stroke care in Europe in 2025 and incorporates the latest available evidence.

Despite improvements in stroke care, stroke remains a major health challenge in Europe, with significant incidence and persistent inequalities in access to care. Gaps remain across the care pathway, particularly in access to stroke units, rehabilitation and long-term follow-up.

To effectively reduce the burden of stroke, the Plan identifies four priority action areas:

1. National stroke plans covering the entire chain of care and integrated into reimbursement systems;
2. Quality and outcome monitoring at both individual and health-system level;
3. Robust and resilient healthcare organisation ensuring equitable, timely and evidence-based stroke care;
4. Effective national strategies to promote healthy lifestyles and control stroke risk factors.

The EACH Cardiovascular Health Summit took place in Brussels on 10–11 December 2025 and showcased a remarkable diversity of voices, bringing together 40 speakers from 20 countries, including 21 women and 10 people with lived experience of cardiovascular disease. Discussions spanned a wide range of critical topics, from health inequalities and equity to translating science into real-world impact, the role of patient voices in shaping policy, synergies between cardiovascular disease and cancer, and gender differences in cardiovascular health.

The success of the Summit underscored the power of collaboration and partnership across the cardiovascular community. Policymakers, clinicians, researchers, patient advocates, and industry came together to share challenges and co-create solutions, reinforcing the shared commitment needed to drive lasting change.

With the publication of the European Commission’s Cardiovascular Health Plan approaching on 16 December, this work now enters a decisive phase. Momentum continues to build to ensure the Plan’s recommendations are effectively implemented, advancing cardiovascular health for everyone in Europe.

Event Report

The event report captures the key debates, insights and messages that emerged during the two days of the Summit.

Press Release

The press release highlights the key themes and announcements of the Summit, including the keynote address by EU Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi on the forthcoming launch of the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan.

Next week, we will adopt the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan under the name Safe Hearts Plan. Successful implementation can only be achieved through robust, long-term funding. A micro-levy on unhealthy food, following the polluter-pays principle, will help mitigate the impact of cardiovascular disease on society and finance the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan.

– Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare

Video Highlights

Photo Gallery

Stay Connected

Follow updates from EACH on LinkedIn and join the conversation using the hashtags #CVHealthForAll and #EACHSummit2025.

The European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH) is delighted to invite you to join us in Brussels on 10-11 December 2025 for the EACH Cardiovascular Health Summit, held at the Palais des Academies (1 Rue Ducale), with Secretariat provided by the European Society of Cardiology.

We warmly welcome health stakeholders and national representatives to take part in this inaugural Summit where you will have the chance to meet with Members of European Parliament from your country, hear best practices regarding implementation of national action plans, learn the latest science behind emerging trends in cardiovascular risk and prevention, hear from patients and lived experiences, and dig into the latest news around the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan. Join us for an interactive, immersive and unforgettable policy experience!

Preview below our draft programme:

REGISTRATION FOR IN PERSON ATTENDANCE HAS NOW CLOSED

To follow the discussions online, please subscribe to our EACH YouTube channel.

Enquiries: each@escardio.org