Safe Hearts Plan Marks a Turning Point for Cardiovascular Health in Europe

Cardiovascular disease, including stroke, remains the leading cause of death and disability across Europe, including here in Ireland, and the Plan represents a timely, ambitious and much-needed response. Croí particularly welcomes the Plan’s clear recognition that up to 80% of cardiovascular disease is preventable, and its strong emphasis on screening and early detection as essential preventive measures, alongside action across the life course, treatment, care and rehabilitation.

The Safe Hearts Plan’s three core pillars – prevention, early detection and screening, and treatment and care, including rehabilitation – closely align with Croí’s mission to prevent heart disease and stroke, support those living with cardiovascular conditions, and advocate for healthier communities. We strongly support the Plan’s ambition to reduce premature cardiovascular mortality by 25% by 2035.

Croí welcomes the Plan’s strong framing of screening as a preventive intervention, enabling people to “know their numbers”, understand their cardiovascular risk, and take timely action through lifestyle change, medical treatment and ongoing support. We particularly welcome proposals for an EU-wide protocol on cardiovascular health checks and community-based screening initiatives, which have the potential to reach underserved and high-risk populations, as well as the Safe Hearts Plan’s recognition of familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) and Lp(a) as a significantly underdiagnosed inherited condition, and its call for earlier and more systematic screening to identify individuals and families at high cardiovascular risk before avoidable heart attacks and strokes occur.

Croí also welcomes the commitment to supporting Member States to develop or strengthen national cardiovascular health plans by 2027, recognising that coordinated national strategies, underpinned by robust screening and prevention programmes, are essential to delivering meaningful and sustained improvements in cardiovascular health.

However, ambition must be matched by delivery. Croí emphasises the importance of clear implementation pathways, measurable targets, and sufficient long-term resourcing at both EU and national level. The recommendations of the plan will only succeed if they are properly funded, accessible, and supported by appropriate follow-up care, workforce capacity and community-based services.

Croí welcomes in particular:

• The positioning of screening and early detection as core preventive measures, helping to prevent disease progression and reduce avoidable hospital admissions.
• The emphasis on prevention, including healthier diets, physical activity, tobacco and alcohol control, vaccination, and action on environmental risk factors.
• The recognition of the importance of rehabilitation, continuity of care and mental health support for people living with heart disease and stroke.
• The focus on digital innovation, research and data, while ensuring equity and avoiding bias.
• The explicit commitment to tackling cardiovascular health inequalities, including gender, socioeconomic and regional disparities.

As a community-based charity with deep roots in the West of Ireland, Croí sees first-hand the impact of late diagnosis and missed prevention opportunities. We strongly believe that effective implementation of the Safe Hearts Plan in Ireland will require sustained political commitment, adequate investment in screening and prevention, and strong partnership with charities, community organisations, healthcare professionals and people with lived experience.

Croí looks forward to working with national and European partners to ensure that the Safe Hearts Plan delivers real, measurable and lasting improvements in cardiovascular health for people across Ireland and Europe.