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.

EU SHD Coalition welcomes the adoption of the EU Council conclusions on Cardiovascular Health and commitment to an EU CVD Plan

December 9, 2024

The EU Structural Heart Disease Coalition warmly welcomes the adoption of the EU Council Conclusions on Cardiovascular Health on 3 December 2024. This significant milestone reflects the European Union’s recognition of the substantial burden...

The future of heart health after the collapse of the German government

December 5, 2024

The collapse of Germany’s government coalition has cast doubt on the future of the “Healthy Heart Law.” This legislation was set to play a pivotal role in the prevention, early detection, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases—the...

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledges the value of heart checks in community pharmacies

November 13, 2024

During a visit to Warwick Hospital on Friday 1 November, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves engaged with clinicians to hear more about their work and to share the government’s plans to reform the NHS. The...