At its September plenary session, the European Parliament adopted by a large majority the report on the EU strategy on cardiovascular diseases. Member of European Parliament Viktória Ferenc (Patriots for Europe), took part in the work as shadow rapporteur for the report.

Cardiovascular diseases remain the number one cause of death in the European Union: They are responsible for the deaths of around 1.7 million people every year, while around 62 million Europeans live with this disease. At the same time, a significant number of cases could be prevented and therefore one of the most important tasks of health policy is to strengthen prevention and early detection.

The European Parliament report calls for a lifelong, prevention-oriented approach. This includes supporting regular health checks and early detection, encouraging healthy diets and physical activity, and ensuring access to high-quality and affordable treatment, diagnostics and rehabilitation. MEPs also call for a coordinated treatment of cardiovascular disease risk factors.

“We need to put much more emphasis on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. We do not have to start dealing with our health when the disease has already developed, but years earlier. Regular screening, a healthy lifestyle and early detection can save lives,” emphasized Viktória Ferenc.

The adopted Parliament report responds to the European Commission’s Safe Hearts Plan initiative, presented at the end of 2025, which builds on the three pillars of prevention, early detection and screening, and treatment and rehabilitation. The EP position provides important guidance to the Commission on the implementation of the plan and the development of related EU policy and legislative initiatives.

Strasbourg, 2026. szeptember 16.