Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the European Union and worldwide, affecting more than 60 million out of the 440 million population in Europe and causing more than 1.7 million deaths on the continent every year. It also costs the European economy around EUR 282 billion a year and places a heavy burden on the healthcare system. Hungary, which is holding the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2024, has therefore made the fight against cardiovascular diseases one of its priorities.
The Council conclusion adopted by the Council of the European Union on December 3 puts emphasis on primary and secondary prevention, early detection, and screening, as well as on optimizing the treatment and rehabilitation of cardiovascular diseases.
The document invites member states to expand screening programs for cardiovascular risk factors, take steps to address socio-economic and environmental determinants of health, and increase access to therapies tailored to the needs of patients and families.
Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector of Semmelweis University, Honorary President of the Hungarian Society of Cardiology, and former Vice-President of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), considers it an outstanding achievement that the professional policy recommendation, backed by expert consultations, was adopted in less than half a year under the Hungarian presidency. “This is a great success, not only for Hungary but also for Hungarian cardiology,” said Dr. Béla Merkely, noting that the first step in the process was a high-level ministerial meeting on cardiovascular health held on the fourth day of the Hungarian EU Council Presidency at the Ministry of Interior in Budapest. The event was attended by Hungarian cardiologists, including Dr. Béla Merkely, Honorary President of the Hungarian Society of Cardiology, representatives of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), and high-level policymakers of the 27 EU member states. “Congratulations and thanks to my colleagues for getting this key issue back on the European Union’s agenda. In fact, the ultimate benefits will reach EU citizens as well: We can increase the number of healthy people, we will have a better opportunity to reduce risk factors, and early detection will contribute to appropriate treatment and thus to increased life expectancy,” Dr. Béla Merkely emphasized. The ESC leadership sent a letter of thanks to express their gratitude for the commitment, activity, and professional work that Hungary and Hungarian cardiology demonstrated in this matter.
In the recommendation, the EU Council asks the European Commission to ensure adequate funding and to comprehensively map the range of measures to promote cardiovascular health. Proposed measures include supporting evidence-based prevention, promoting innovative treatments, and making effective use of digital health tools for better data integration and research. These measures are aimed at reducing risk factors that are common to cardiovascular disease and cancer, such as a poor diet, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle.
The decision was welcomed by European professional organizations such as the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
Judit Szabados-Dőtsch
Illustration: Bálint Barta – Semmeweis University; cover: iStock
