Cardiovascular diseases are a major public health concern in Europe. They account for 36% of all deaths and profoundly impacts the lives of some 60 million people who are living with CVD. Despite progress made, the reduction of mortality is not universal and the death rates in some countries are rising. Cardiovascular disease costs the EU EUR 210 billion per year. At the same time, evidence shows that a large share of CVDs are preventable. However, the share of health budgets devoted to health promotion and disease prevention currently stands at only 3% and CVD mortality rates differ widely across the EU and within the Member States.
Following the success of the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the Commission published in the second half of December 2025 its “Safe Hearts Plan” and the Council, in its conclusion of July 2024 called for more robust efforts to help prevent CVD, focusing specifically on prevention, early detection, treatment and rehabilitation. The regional dimension, both in prevalence, mortality and prevention efforts, merits to be given more spotlight. This study fills in the knowledge gap by collecting and analysing successful regional and local projects. It creates a repository of regional CVD prevention policy and practice.
