In Europe alone, more than 4 million deaths per year are attributed to CVD, which is more than a third of all deaths on the continent.  85% of CVD-related deaths are caused by heart attacks and strokes, which are manifestations of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and are associated not only with high mortality, but also with high rates of hospitalisation, significant disability, and increased healthcare costs. Research has demonstrated that the implementation of comprehensive primary and secondary prevention programs by governments could potentially prevent up to 80% of these deaths.

We compiled a set of CVD data across 22 European countries to see how CVD trends have developed over time, the existing disparities between countries and what key actions can be taken to make a positive difference.

The CVD dashboards show that most European countries (14 out of 22) have implemented at least 4 prevention programmes in place with four countries having 5. These programmes include tobacco, alcohol and obesity prevention, physical activity recommendations as well as hypertension guidelines. It is evident that a healthy lifestyle alone cannot solve the problem. Countries need to create and implement national cardiovascular health plans which will include identification of risk factors and screening programmes. They need to set common metrics and targets for cardiovascular outcomes along with well-defined pathways to assist patients in achieving their targets. They also need more effective financing methods to ensure that resources are allocated appropriately within national healthcare systems.

The CVD policy dashboards are a valuable tool for assessing the various cardiovascular policy landscapes in Europe, and can aid in identifying gaps that require urgent attention to tackle CVD and improve the health and quality of life for patients with cardiovascular disease.