The European Commission has launched the Safe Hearts Plan, a new EU-level framework designed to address one of the most serious public health challenges facing Europe today: cardiovascular disease (CVD). Developed within the European Health Union agenda, the Plan responds to the increasing impact of CVDs, which currently affect an estimated 62 million people in the EU, cause around 1.7 million deaths each year, and lead to economic costs of more than €282 billion annually. 

The initiative outlines a long-term strategy to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease by 2035, with a strong focus on prevention, earlier diagnosis and better-quality care. Particular attention is given to tackling health inequalities, especially among vulnerable populations such as children, young people and women, while promoting the use of digital technologies to modernise cardiovascular health systems across Europe. 

Clear ambitions and measurable objectives 

A central goal of the Safe Hearts Plan is to reduce premature deaths from cardiovascular diseases by 25% by 2035. To support this objective, the Commission proposes a significant expansion of routine health checks for adults aged 25 and above. Targets include regular blood pressure screening for 75% of individuals aged 25–64 and 90% of those aged 65 and over, as well as annual monitoring of cholesterol and blood glucose levels for a large share of these age groups. 

Three strategic pillars 

The Plan is built on three complementary pillars. Prevention is identified as the most effective and sustainable approach, with actions aimed at encouraging healthier lifestyles, improving diet, reducing tobacco use, increasing physical activity and limiting exposure to environmental risk factors such as air pollution. Member States will be supported in developing national cardiovascular strategies, including the use of digital tools and personalised prevention pathways. 

The second pillar, early detection and screening, highlights the importance of identifying risk factors such as high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol at an early stage. The Plan promotes coordinated health checks across the EU, mobile screening services and improved risk assessment methods to make early diagnosis more accessible. 

The third pillar focuses on treatment and long-term care, with the objective of ensuring high-quality, integrated services for people living with cardiovascular conditions. Actions include better access to treatment and rehabilitation, wider use of digital health solutions and personalised medicine, and the development of a European network of cardiovascular health centres to strengthen expertise and patient care. 

Innovation, research and fairness 

Several cross-cutting priorities underpin the three pillars. Digital innovation, including the responsible use of artificial intelligence, is expected to play a key role in improving diagnosis, treatment and disease management. The Plan also calls for increased investment in research to address existing knowledge gaps and speed up innovation in prevention and care. 

Reducing inequalities remains a core concern, with targeted measures to address differences in cardiovascular outcomes between regions and population groups. Special focus will be placed on women, older adults and people from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. 

Inclusive development and stakeholder involvement 

The Safe Hearts Plan is the result of broad consultation with Member States, health professionals, stakeholders and citizens. Input was gathered through discussions within the Expert Group on Public Health in 2025, webinars hosted on the EU Health Policy Platform (including sessions engaging young people) and a dedicated call for evidence. These processes ensured that diverse perspectives contributed to shaping the final strategy. 

The road ahead 

In addition to improving population health, the Safe Hearts Plan is expected to enhance Europe’s economic resilience by reducing productivity losses linked to cardiovascular disease and encouraging innovation in the health sector. The initiative aligns with the EU’s wider commitment to prevention and early action to improve quality of life and longevity. 

Despite the ambitious approach, challenges remain. Cardiovascular disease prevalence is projected to increase significantly by 2050, while current investment in prevention remains limited. Through stronger cooperation between Member States, healthcare systems and the research community, the Safe Hearts Plan aims to deliver a coordinated and sustainable response to reduce the human and economic impact of cardiovascular diseases across Europe.