Tackling the burden of structural heart disease:

A European coalition

Welcome to the Structural Heart Disease Coalition website

Structural heart diseases are structural abnormalities of the heart leading to impaired functioning that can affect the heart’s valves, walls, muscles, and blood vessels. They are a form of cardiovascular disease and currently affect around 14 million people in Europe, creating a significant burden for the people suffering from the disease as well as the wider economy and society.

The Structural Heart Disease Coalition (SHD Coalition) is a European network that brings together experts including key opinion leaders, politicians, and patients to work together to ensure that policy on SHD is prioritised.

The initial goal of the SHD Coalition is to work towards a European Joint Action on Structural Heart Disease with an emphasis on early diagnosis and equal access to care, and treatment for people of all ages. This will require political prioritisation at the EU level as well as strong national support.

Launched in March 2021, this website showcases the various actions undertaken by the Coalition at both EU level and in countries and provides information about SHD and its impact.

Did you know?

One of the main types of SHD has a worse prognosis than some metastatic cancers. If not treated properly, 1 out of 2 diagnosed patients will die after 2 years. After 3 years, this increases to 2 out of 3 patients

The difference between having structural heart disease and being disease-free lies in being able to live a fully independent life – and not being able to make it up a flight of stairs

The 2019 European Heart Health Survey revealed that there is a significant lack of awareness about structural heart diseases, with only 6% of respondents able to describe the condition

40 % of individuals in the EU believe that age discrimination is widespread in their country; In structural heart disease this translates into lack of access to diagnosis, treatment and care. For example: Only 28% of 65+ people in Europe have their heart checked at every GP visit

Manifesto

The EU SHD Coalition is advocating for future EU policy makers to tackle the burden of structural heart disease.

Our Manifesto

The EU SHD Coalition is advocating for future EU policy makers to tackle the burden of structural heart disease.

PRESS RELEASE: EU SHD Coalition Meets with European Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi to Discuss SHD Prioritisation in the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan

July 17, 2025

Brussels, 17 July 2025 On 16 July, the EU Structural Heart Disease (SHD) Coalition met with European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi, and Cabinet Members Csaba Kontor and Jana Dabbelt for a high-level exchange on the...

PRESS RELEASE: EU SHD Coalition Advocates for Early Detection at Joint DG SANTE/DG RTD Meeting on Cardiovascular Health

July 10, 2025

On 30 June, the EU Structural Heart Disease (SHD) Coalition, represented by its Steering Committee members, Prof. Paolo Magni, Prof. Thomas Modine and Prof. Dr. Ralph Stephan von Bardeleben, took part in a joint DG SANTE/DG RTD meeting in Brussels...

Best Practices in Structural Heart Disease: Insights from Spain

June 23, 2025

The Spanish members of the SHD Coalition have collected and systematised best practices in the management of valvular heart disease in Spain, including key content developed within the framework of ESCAV. The report Best Practices in Structural Heart...