Brussels, 23 April –

EACH is delighted to be supporting an informal interest group in the Parliament, the MEP Cardiovascular Health Group, Chaired by MEP Romana Jerkovic (S&D, Croatia). The group will kick-off with a first meeting on 23 April, 10:00 – 11:30 in the European Parliament where MEPs will have the chance to meet partners of EACH, hear more on the work programme for the year, and partake in the launch of a new publication by the Alliance, “A European Cardiovascular Health Plan: The Roadmap“.

More details will be released soon.

Please contact the Secretariat for more information: each@escardio.org

Brussels, 24 March – One in five people globally—over 1.4 billion individuals—are living with elevated Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), a significant, yet widely undetected inherited cardiovascular risk factor. Despite its clear link to premature heart attacks, strokes, and aortic stenosis, only 1%-2% of the population is tested, leaving millions vulnerable to preventable, life-threatening cardiovascular events.

The economic and healthcare burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is staggering, with CVD costing the EU €282 billion annually[1]. Of this, €155 billion (55%) is spent on health and long-term care, accounting for 11% of total EU health expenditure. Productivity losses contribute €48 billion (17%), while informal care costs amount to €79 billion (28%). The economic impact translates to an average cost of €630 per person, with national variations ranging from €381 in Cyprus to €903 in Germany. Within these costs, coronary heart disease accounts for 27% (€77 billion), and cerebrovascular diseases account for 27% (€76 billion). These figures underline the urgent need for improved early detection and prevention strategies.

To address this urgent public health crisis, 50 leading global experts, policymakers, and patient representatives will convene for the first-ever Global Summit on Elevated Lp(a), coinciding with Lp(a) Awareness Day. This landmark event, hosted under the patronage of the Polish EU Presidency, is a direct response to growing EU and international commitments to tackle cardiovascular disease through prevention, early detection, and data-driven healthcare policies[2]. EACH is proud to partner on this event.

A Policy-Driven Scientific Summit to Address Lp(a) as a Public Health Priority

Living with elevated Lp(a) presents a significant emotional and practical burden for affected individuals and their families. Recent research highlights that many people with high Lp(a) levels only learn about their condition after experiencing a cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke, or due to a family history of cardiovascular disease. Despite medical guidelines advocating once-in-a-lifetime Lp(a) testing, many healthcare professionals are hesitant to test, often citing the lack of approved Lp(a)-lowering therapies. Patients and caregivers report frustration with the inconsistent and conflicting lifestyle advice they receive, with many feeling that their condition is largely invisible to the public and under-recognized by the medical community. The psychological impact of living with an increased, yet poorly understood, cardiovascular risk is significant, with many expressing anxiety, helplessness, and a desire for clearer, more structured medical guidance and emotional support. Patient Ambassadors underscore the urgent need to integrate Lp(a) testing into routine cardiovascular risk assessments and provide comprehensive support for those affected.[3]

Despite scientific consensus on the importance of once-in-a-lifetime Lp(a) testing[4], testing rates remain critically low due to a lack of awareness among healthcare professionals, as well as systemic barriers within health systems, including financial disincentives for preventive testing. There is also a misconception that testing is unnecessary in the absence of approved Lp(a)-specific therapies. Missed opportunities to leverage global risk management strategies further exacerbate the failure to prevent early cardiovascular events.

EU Leadership in Advancing Cardiovascular Health & EHDS Alignment

This Summit aligns with the EU’s emerging health policy developments, including the European Health Data Space (EHDS) and the recent Council Conclusions on Cardiovascular Health (December 2024), which emphasize the integration of cardiovascular disease risk assessments into national health policies, systematic data collection on CVD risk factors, including Lp(a), for better prevention and care, and investment in precision medicine and digital health tools to improve early detection and patient outcomes. The Summit will reinforce Lp(a) testing as a cornerstone of effective, personalized cardiovascular prevention, ensuring that health systems shift from reactive disease treatment to proactive and preventive health management.

Summit Highlights & Key Policy Announcements

A major highlight of the Summit will be the unveiling of the International Cost-Effectiveness Study on Lp(a) Testing, led by Prof. Zanfina Ademi (Monash University). This study provides irrefutable evidence that Lp(a) testing is economically viable and cost-effective, reinforcing its necessity as part of standard CVD risk assessment. Another key outcome will be the launch of the Brussels International Declaration on Lp(a), a policy blueprint outlining concrete steps for governments, policymakers, and health systems to implement routine Lp(a) testing. The Declaration is expected to be endorsed by leading global cardiovascular and patient advocacy organizations and serve as a reference for future cardiovascular health policies at the national, European, and international levels.

The Summit will be hosted by MEP Romana Jerkovic, Vice-Chair of the SANT Committee on Public Health and Chair of the MEP Cardiovascular Health Group, alongside MEP Adam Jarubas, Chair of the SANT Committee, and MEP András Kulja, with a welcome address from EU Commissioner for Health, Olivér Várhelyi, who has been invited.

A Multisectoral Call to Action

This unprecedented Summit is a flagship initiative of the Lp(a) International Taskforce, chaired by Prof. Florian Kronenberg (Austria), a lead author of the EAS Consensus Paper on Lp(a) Testing, and is organized by the FH Europe Foundation, an umbrella patient organization dedicated to inherited lipid conditions and cardiovascular risk factors. Leading scientific, advocacy, and patient organizations backing the Summit include the World Heart Federation (WHF), the International Atherosclerosis Society (IAS), the Global Heart Hub, the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH), and the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS).

A Paradigm Shift: From Cardiovascular Disease to Cardiovascular Health

This Summit marks a seismic shift from merely treating cardiovascular disease to proactively safeguarding cardiovascular health. It is an opportunity for policymakers, healthcare leaders, and patient organizations to ensure that preventable heart disease remains preventable.

Voices from the Summit

Prof. Florian Kronenberg, Chair of the Lp(a) International Taskforce, emphasized that “This Summit unites scientific, political, and advocacy leaders to ensure that Lp(a) testing becomes a global standard. We must not only normalize testing but also support individuals in managing their health effectively.” Magdalena Daccord, CEO of FH Europe Foundation, added that “The Summit sets a powerful precedent. It amplifies the voices of people living with elevated Lp(a) and solidifies their role in shaping policies. The launch of the Brussels Declaration is just the beginning—our goal is to secure systematic Lp(a) testing and risk-based cardiovascular prevention for all.”

Summit Funding & Support

The work of the Lp(a) International Taskforce and the 1st Global Lp(a) Summit is supported through a collaborative effort, driven by the dedication of passionate experts, volunteers, and advocates who generously contribute their time, knowledge, and expertise as in-kind support and by funding from Amgen, Novartis, Roche Diagnostics, and Silence Therapeutics, in line with FHEF’s framework for cooperation with industry.

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Further Information & Media Contact

For media inquiries, contact

Magdalena Daccord,

CEO, FH Europe Foundation

lpaglobalsummit@fheurope.org .

More details about:

• Lp(a) Global Summit: https://fhef.org/lpa-globalsummit/
• Lp(a) International Taskforce: https://fhef.org/lpa-international-taskforce/
• FH Europe Foundation: www.fhef.org

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[1] Economic burden of cardiovascular diseases in the European Union: a population-based cost study, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37632363/

[2] Conclusions on the improvement of cardiovascular health in the European Union, 2024.12.03 – https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-15315-2024-INIT/en/pdf

[3] Living with Elevated Lipoprotein(a) Levels: The Experiences of Patients and Caregivers https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40008374/

[4] Lipoprotein(a) in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and aortic stenosis: a European Atherosclerosis Society consensus statement https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36036785/

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Brussels, 4 December – EACH Partners welcome the appointment of European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Mr Olivér Várhelyi.

EACH Partners very much welcome the commitment of Mr Várhelyi to ensuring and improving cardiovascular health in Europe and the plan to work on a comprehensive initiative to tackle CVD during the current mandate, as stated in the mission letter and as pointed out during his confirmation hearing.

Mr Várhelyi reaffirmed his commitment to the development of a new European Cardiovascular Plan, putting cardiovascular health front and centre, just like the Beating Cancer Plan, following the EPSCO adoption of Council Conclusions on the Improvement of Cardiovascular Health in the EU on 3 December 2024.

In particular, EACH very much welcomes the emphasis placed on the importance of better prevention, diagnosis and management of CVD, including through the management of its risk factors and related co-morbidities (such as diabetes, kidney disease, hypertension and obesity). These priorities align closely with our vision to reduce premature and preventable deaths from CVD in Europe and to ensure equitable access to high-quality cardiovascular risk assessment, treatment and care for all European citizens throughout their life course.

We believe that a European CVH Plan should put forward a comprehensive policy framework that encompasses actions at different levels. These should include focus on primary and secondary prevention to manage high-risk individuals through timely screening, early detection and precision diagnosis (including genetic testing), early intervention and access to quality and personalised care (including adequate psychosocial support for mental wellbeing). Furthermore, we would welcome a rehabilitation framework building on the Stroke Action Plan for Europe, support for organisations, such as patient organisations, that provide non-medical support to people affected by CVD including families and carers, and a standardised instrument to measure quality of life and other psychosocial outcomes across the spectrum of CVD. Promoting a vital research and innovation environment in Europe, in particular as regards clinical trials and patient registries, would also be important in order to revitalise R&D for cardiovascular disease and ensure future therapies for important unmet health needs. To address the needs of patients with rare heart diseases, we also need ongoing support for the European Reference Networks.

As we head into this new mandate, we are optimistic about the strides that can be made together, towards ensuring and improving cardiovascular health across the EU. The success and impact of a European CVH Plan will be shaped not only by what is achieved over the next few years, but also by how it is achieved: leaving no one behind, addressing the needs of the community and supporting Member States to achieve their goals via flagship initiatives similar to the European Beating Cancer Plan.

Brussels, 03/12/2024 — The European Union (EU) has adopted Council Conclusions that will set a milestone for the continent’s cardiovascular health.  Cardiovascular disease (CVD) – the leading cause of death in the EU and globally – affects more than 60 million Europeans, accounts for over 1.7 million deaths annually on the continent, and costs its economy an estimated €282 billion each year.

The European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH) welcomes the Council Conclusions which reflect key objectives of the EACH Plan that includes strengthening primary and secondary prevention, early detection and screening, and optimising management and rehabilitative care of CVD. The Council’s recommended actions invite Member States to expand screening programmes for cardiovascular risk factors, address socioeconomic and environmental determinants of health, and increase access to therapy tailored to the needs of patients and families.

The Council Conclusions acknowledge the scale of the challenge, and EACH is pleased to see the EU stepping up with plans and resources that match this immense health and economic burden. Particularly encouraging, is the expressed commitment of the newly appointed Health Commissioner, Olivér Várhelyi, to transform these Council Conclusions into a comprehensive European cardiovascular health plan.  

“Early detection and diagnosis, timely intervention and eventually better management of patients with cardiovascular disease and a strong focus on prevention and rehabilitation will result in a significant reduction of premature deaths in Europe” said Prof. Thomas  F. Lüscher, President of the European Society of Cardiology, which is currently acting as Secretariat of EACH. “This is important for the individuals and their families and friends. At the same time, it is important for society at large. The EU Cardiovascular Health plan will play an essential part in improving lives and health outcomes for citizens allowing them to actively take part in, and contribute to, society.”

The Council Conclusions also call on the European Commission to ensure adequate funding and to map cardiovascular health actions in an integrated way, through primary, secondary and tertiary care. Proposed steps include promoting evidence-based prevention measures, advancing innovative treatments, and leveraging digital health tools for better data integration and research. These actions aim to reduce risk factors common to both cardiovascular diseases and cancer, such as poor nutrition, tobacco use, and physical inactivity.

EACH welcomes the inclusion of public health campaigns to improve health literacy and expand access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in community spaces. These efforts, alongside commitments to environmental health measures such as reducing air and noise pollution, reflect a comprehensive strategy to tackle the root causes of cardiovascular diseases.

Brussels, 18/11/2024 – EACH event

At present, more than 60 million people in the EU live with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which remain the main cause of death and disability in Europe, accounting for over €282 billion in healthcare expenditure in the EU every year. The upcoming Council Conclusions on cardiovascular health (CVH) that the Hungarian Presidency is working on, along with the inclusion of CVD in both the European Commission President’s political guidelines and the Mission Letter to the Commissioner-Designate for Health signal a much welcome political commitment towards improving cardiovascular health (CVH) in Europe.

Building on this momentum, this event aimed to provide a platform for discussion between EU and national-level stakeholders to explore ways to address CVH in Europe, reduce mortality and morbidity, and improve the quality of life of people living with or at risk of CVD.

This event explored how to best focus EU-level action towards the unmet needs of the cardiovascular community and ensure that the new EU mandate puts forward the right tools to support the communities and the Member States in promoting CVH. The event also saw the participation of representatives of the national Health Ministries, to draw on national best practices and on the learnings of countries that have recently developed national cardiovascular health plans or other strategies to tackle CVD.

The event was moderated by Prof. Michal Vrablik, Professor of Internal Medicine at Charles University in Prague, the Czech Republic.

Agenda

Opening remarks

• Victoria Tzouma, Co-Chair EFPIA Cardiovascular Health Platform
• Csaba Kontor, Health Attaché, Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU

Interview with the Rijken Family

• Marc, Manon, and their three daughters Beau, Arwen and India bring a poignant perspective as they share their collective experience with elevated Lp(a), a familial lipid disorder that significantly increases the risk of CVD.

Panel 1

• Ruth Biller, Chair of the European Patient Advocacy Group of ERN GUARD-Heart, the European Reference Network for rare heart diseases
• Prof. Cecilia Linde, Cardiologist, President-Elect of the European Society of Cardiology
• Prof. Raymond Vanholder, President of the European Kidney Health Alliance
• MEP Vytenis Andriukaitis (S&D, Lithuania)

Panel 2

• Václav Pláteník, Deputy Minister of Health, Czechia
• Michael Brinkmeier, Chairman, Stiftung Deutsche Schlaganfall-Hilfe (German Stroke Foundation)
• Konrad Korbiński, Director, Department of Coordinated Care, Ministry of Health, Poland

Closing remarks and networking reception

Brussels, 21/10/2024 – EACH Partners are proud to support an MEP Cardiovascular Health Group.

This Group is an informal forum for MEPs interested in promoting cardiovascular health (CVH) in all policies, and raising cardiovascular health as a priority on the EU political agenda. We look forward to announcing members in the coming weeks. Find out more: https://www.cardiovascular-alliance.eu/mep-group/

Brussels, 30/09/2024 – In order to commemorate World Heart Day, EACH is honoured to be invited to the Subcommittee on Public Health (SANT) of the European Parliament.

Prof. Cecilia Linde, President-Elect of EACH-Partner European Society of Cardiology, presents on behalf of our Alliance and sheds a light on the needs to prioritise action on cardiovascular health in the EU. Prof. Linde reiterated once more the need for a comprehensive European Cardiovascular Health Plan, urging MEPs to match the ambitions of their own health ministers. Watch the full presentation at: https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstreaming/sant-committee-meeting_20240930-1500-COMMITTEE-SANT”  

Brussels, 26/09/2024 – With World Heart Day around the corner, it is now more important than ever to let the voice of the people be heard. Sign the petition at: https://world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/petition/#sign-the-petition.

Cardiovascular disease remains the biggest killer of men and women, both in the EU and globally. Despite these alarming figures, many countries still lack comprehensive national plans to address this immense burden. In response, World Heart Federation launched a global petition calling on governments to develop and implement dedicated cardiovascular health plans. At EACH, we would like to express our support for this campaign. Dedicated plans can save millions of lives, prevent suffering, and reduce costs. Sign the petition and hold your national policymakers accountable!  

Brussels, 19/09/2024 – In light of the continued negotiations around the draft Council Conclusions on Improving Cardiovascular Health in the EU, EACH Partners welcomed several Health Attachés from the Permanent Represenations to the EU for a breakfast meeting on cardiovascular health.

The meeting featured two keynote speakers: Assoc. Professor Melinda B. Roaldsen shared her personally story of stroke recovery, reminding us once more why cardiovascular disease should be tackled as a political priority; Professor Paul Dendale underlined how small preventative actions can make huge impacts, the importance of early detection and screening, and areas of support which could be unlocked at the EU level. Our early morning meeting ended with a discussion between EACH Partners and Health Attachés, focused on national progress on CVD action plans.

Brussels, 17/09/2024 – President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen unveiled her new College of Commissioners and put forward Mr. Olivér Várhelyi as the Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare.

At EACH, we welcome the inclusion of cardiovascular disease in President von der Leyen’s Mission Letter to Commissioner-Designate Várhelyi. CVD remains the biggest killer of men and women in the EU today, and the time to act is now. EACH partners stand ready to support and make a European Cardiovascular Health Plan a reality.