The European Commission has presented the Safe Hearts Plan, a new EU-wide strategy aimed at addressing one of Europe’s most pressing public health threats: cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Introduced under the framework of the European Health Union, the initiative responds to the growing burden of CVDs, which affect around 62 million people across the EU, cause approximately 1.7 million deaths each year, and generate economic losses exceeding €282 billion annually.

The plan sets out a long-term vision to curb the impact of cardiovascular diseases by 2035, focusing on prevention, earlier diagnosis and improved care. A strong emphasis is placed on reducing health inequalities, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children, young people and women, while leveraging digital solutions to modernise cardiovascular health management across Europe.

Ambitious goals and significant targets

At the core of the Safe Hearts Plan is the objective of cutting premature deaths from cardiovascular diseases by 25% by 2035. To achieve this, the Commission aims to significantly expand access to regular health screenings for adults aged 25 and over. The targets include annual blood pressure checks for 75% of people aged 25–64 and 90% of those aged 65 and above, alongside yearly monitoring of cholesterol and blood sugar levels for 65% and 80% of these age groups respectively.

Three pillars for action

The strategy is built around three main pillars: Prevention is identified as the most effective and cost-efficient approach, with measures designed to promote healthier lifestyles, improve nutrition, reduce smoking, encourage physical activity and address environmental risk factors such as pollution. Member States will be supported in developing national cardiovascular health plans, with an increased use of digital tools and personalised prevention strategies.

Early detection and screening form the second pillar, recognising the importance of identifying conditions such as hypertension and high cholesterol before they lead to serious events. The plan promotes coordinated EU-wide health checks, mobile screening initiatives and improved risk assessment tools to make early diagnosis more accessible across the Union.

The third pillar focuses on treatment and long-term care, aiming to ensure high-quality, integrated services for people living with cardiovascular diseases. Measures include improved access to treatment and rehabilitation, the integration of digital health and personalised medicine, and the creation of a European network of cardiovascular health centres to strengthen expertise and patient outcomes.

Digital innovation, research and equity

Supporting these pillars are cross-cutting priorities that reinforce the overall strategy. Digital innovation, including the use of artificial intelligence, will be central to improving diagnosis, treatment and disease management. The plan also calls for increased investment in research to close knowledge gaps and accelerate innovation in prevention and care.

Reducing inequalities is another key objective, with targeted actions to address disparities in cardiovascular outcomes between regions and population groups. Particular attention will be given to women, older people and individuals from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.

Broad consultation and stakeholder engagement

The Safe Hearts Plan has been shaped through extensive consultation with Member States, health experts, stakeholders and citizens. Discussions within the Expert Group on Public Health in 2025, along with webinars organised through the EU Health Policy Platform, including sessions involving young people, contributed to the design of the strategy. A call for evidence further ensured that a wide range of perspectives informed the final plan, alongside initiatives encouraging youth engagement in non-communicable disease prevention.

Looking ahead

Beyond improving public health outcomes, the Safe Hearts Plan is expected to strengthen Europe’s economic resilience by reducing productivity losses linked to cardiovascular diseases and stimulating innovation in the health sector. The initiative aligns with the EU’s broader focus on prevention and early intervention to improve quality of life and life expectancy.

Significant challenges remain, as cardiovascular disease rates are expected to rise sharply by 2050 and current prevention spending remains limited. Through closer cooperation between Member States, healthcare professionals and the research community, the Safe Hearts Plan seeks to offer a sustainable and coordinated response to reduce the human and economic toll of cardiovascular diseases across Europe.