With its new conservative and social-democratic federal government, Germany has a unique opportunity to move from fragmented cardiovascular care to a structured, forward-looking policy and thus establish a new approach to heart health, particularly in the area of early detection and secondary prevention. However, the recently adopted coalition agreement does not specifically mention the topic of ‘heart health’, but outlines a general vision for a more preventive, digitalised and inclusive healthcare system. The focus of prevention, particularly of cardiovascular diseases, which is considered an essential element of health measures, is primarily on primary prevention.
The treaty makes no mention of specific cardiovascular screening protocols. The measures proposed by Prof Lauterbach, the former Minister of Health, such as early genetic testing for familial hypercholesterolaemia or staggered cardiac examinations at the ages of 25, 40 and 50 are also not taken up again. This is where European leadership may push Germany further. On 3 December 2024, the unanimous adoption of the EU Council Conclusions on improving cardiovascular health sent a clear message: cardiovascular diseases must rise to the top of the EU public health agenda. In response, Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi pledged to launch a comprehensive European Cardiovascular Health (CVH) Plan—a potentially game-changing development.
The European CVH Plan could pressure the German government to align with new benchmarks on structured screening, cross-border data collection, and funding incentives for cardiovascular research and prevention. If designed well, this plan could provide Germany with the evidence-based tools, financial backing, and political cover to accelerate reforms in heart health policy. However, this requires close co-operation between member states and the EU to ensure the success of the plan.
On the other hand, if Germany at its political decision makers remains passive or views this EU initiative as an external affair, it risks falling behind in implementing what could become new European standards for early detection and chronic care.
Thus, the federal government must decide: will it lead or lag in implementing the European heart health agenda? The tools are available. The political framework is emerging. What’s needed now is a commitment to translate these frameworks into binding laws, funded programs, and accessible health services.
A new dawn is possible – but only if the government actively supports the planned EU CV Health Plan and acts quickly and decisively. Otherwise, the current momentum could fade and the country will again find itself treating the aftermath of heart disease, rather than preventing it.