The European Commission wants to reduce premature deaths from cardiovascular diseases by 25% by 2035, which is why this Tuesday it presented a plan with multiple measures such as an update of the anti-tobacco law in 2026 or actions to reduce the intake of ultra-processed food.
Cardiovascular diseases – which include heart attacks, heart failure, strokes, or congenital heart diseases – are the leading cause of death in the European Union and claim the lives of 1.7 million people each year, said Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, when presenting the plan.
With one in three young people overweight and obese and 25% of the population affected by hypertension, the risk factors are increasing and if nothing is done to prevent it “in 10 or 15 years we will have an entire generation subject to cardiovascular problems”, assured the commissioner.
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A reality that costs 282 billion euros a year to the European economy and although almost 80% of cardiovascular problems can be prevented with lifestyle changes, its prevention represents less than 6% of the total expenditure on medical care in the EU, the Community Executive pointed out.
As preventive measures, Brussels wants that by 2035 at least 65% of the population between 25 and 64 years old and at least 80% of those 65 and older undergo an annual analysis to control cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels.
And that at least 75% of those aged between 25 and 64 and 90% of those over 65 go to the doctor to have their blood pressure measured.
The plan also includes a review of the anti-tobacco law in 2026 to achieve the already declared goal of having less than 5% of adults consume tobacco by 2040.
Also, Brussels wants to reduce problems related to ultra-processed foods high in fat, sugar, and salt, increasing transparency about the manipulation of this type of food, as well as protecting minors from advertisements that may promote unhealthy lifestyles.
The Commission will also continue to promote vaccination as a preventive measure against cardiovascular diseases, promoting the immunization of vulnerable and high-risk groups against influenza, Covid, and other respiratory diseases.
