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 posed by structural heart diseases (SHDs) and other cardiovascular conditions across Member States. We particularly applaud the Conclusions’ emphasis on scaling up early detection for cardiovascular diseases, including SHDs, which are frequently diagnosed too late, resulting in unnecessary suffering, hospitalisation, and avoidable deaths.
The Coalition commends the Council’s focus on public awareness campaigns and evidence-based disease management programs as critical tools to improve early diagnosis and treatment, aligning with the Coalition’s mission to reduce the burden of SHDs and improve cardiovascular health outcomes across Europe.
In addition, we enthusiastically welcome the commitment of the new Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Olivér Várhelyi to prioritise the development of a European Cardiovascular and Diabetes Health Plan. This marks a historic milestone in placing cardiovascular health at the forefront of the EU’s broader health agenda.
The EU SHD Coalition is ready to support the European Commission, Member States, and other key stakeholders in developing the European Cardiovascular Health Plan. By sharing expertise, fostering collaboration, and advocating for patient-centered solutions, we aim to support the development of a comprehensive framework that ensures early detection and equitable access to treatment for all those affected by SHDs and CVDs.