Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death in the European Union, responsible for approximately 1.7 million deaths each year and imposing an estimated economic burden of EUR 282 billion annually through healthcare costs, productivity losses and wider social consequences. Despite major advances in medical knowledge and treatment, progress in reducing mortality from cardiovascular diseases has been uneven and insufficient across the Union. The burden of CVDs is largely preventable, as most cardiovascular deaths are attributable to modifiable risk factors such as tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and environmental exposures. Despite that, only a limited number of Member States are currently on track to meet agreed global targets. At the same time, demographic ageing, combined with continued exposure to these risk factors, is expected to further increase the burden of disease in the absence of sustained action across the life course. This resolution responds to the European Cardiovascular Health Plan : the Safe Hearts Plan, published by the European Commission on 16 December 2025, and sets out the European Parliament’s position on its priorities, implementation and governance.

Cardiovascular health is shaped by a broad range of factors extending well beyond healthcare systems. Social, economic, environmental and commercial determinants play a decisive role in influencing cardiovascular risk and health outcomes throughout the life course. Income inequality, insecure employment, education level, housing conditions, air and noise pollution and climate-related risks all contribute significantly to avoidable cardiovascular harm in the European Union. Recognising this complexity, the resolution situates cardiovascular disease prevention within a wider policy framework that encompasses multiple sectors and levels of governance.

Persistent inequalities in cardiovascular health remain a major challenge. Differences in morbidity and mortality between and within Member States reflect disparities in income, education, geographic location and access to healthcare services. Gender inequalities are particularly pronounced, with women continuing to experience delayed diagnosis and undertreatment of cardiovascular conditions, partly because of historical biases in research, diagnostic criteria and clinical practice. These structural factors continue to influence outcomes and underline the importance of equity as a cross-cutting dimension of cardiovascular health policy.

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ChangedEarly detection and strong primary care are essential to reducing avoidable complications and improving long-term prognosis. Risk-based approaches implemented in primary care settings, supported by effective referral and follow-up pathways, enable timely diagnosis while helping to avoid unnecessary or low-value interventions. At the same time, demographic ageing and the growing prevalence of multimorbidity place increasing pressure on healthhealthcare systems, highlighting the importance of integrated, patient-centred and multidisciplinary care models.

Digital health technologies, data and research offer important opportunities to support surveillance, quality improvement and innovation in cardiovascular care. Their effective use depends on robust governance frameworks, interoperability and appropriate safeguards to ensure transparency, accountability and equitable access. In this regard, sustainable funding, clear monitoring mechanisms and coherence with international commitments are essential for translating innovation into tangible public health benefits.

Taken together, the approach set out in this context seeks to contribute to a more coherent and equitable European response to cardiovascular disease. By supporting the implementation of the European Cardiovascular Health Plan, it underscores the importance of prevention, early intervention and cross-sectoral action in reducing avoidable cardiovascular burden and improving quality of life across the European Union.