EU Safe Hearts Plan is welcome but must step up measures to address root causes
Preventative measures must go beyond lifestyle choices
Launched today, the new EU Cardiovascular Health Plan – the Safe Hearts Plan – shows a welcome ambition to improve cardiovascular health across Europe. Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in the EU, responsible for one in every three deaths every year.1
People from deprived backgrounds are 68% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. If we are to achieve the 2035 target of a 25% reduction in cardiovascular premature mortality, as set by the Safe Hearts Plan, we need stronger measures to address root causes and tackle social inequalities in health. In addition, dedicated targets are needed to ensure that the Plan adequately supports people with the greatest needs.
Cardiovascular diseases are not simply the result of personal choices. Their root causes often lie beyond individual control. They are shaped by social, environmental and commercial factors, such as unhealthy products being readily available, affordable, and with addictive ingredients, while information about their health risks is not being provided to consumers.
To truly deliver, the Safe Hearts Plan must go beyond its current focus on lifestyle choices, avoid relying on self-regulations of industry, and propose binding regulations to address the commercial determinants of health.
EuroHealthNet calls for clear and strong legal measures to promote cardiovascular health, such as:
- Mandatory ingredients and nutritional labelling on alcoholic beverages, with clear health warnings.
- Increased taxation on alcoholic beverages and on food with low nutritional value.
- Improving the affordability of healthy foods, including subsidies and reduced VAT on fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Mandatory, harmonised front-of-pack labelling to guide consumers toward healthier food options. This measure is more urgent than ever, given the established harms of ultra-processed foods.2,3
- Stronger, enforceable tobacco, novel tobacco, and nicotine control measures to reduce consumption and exposure.
80% of premature heart disease and stroke are preventable through action on risk factors such as tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy diets. We need regulations to make these harmful products less available and to provide clear information to consumers about their health risks.
By embracing ambitious legal measures, Europe can ensure that cardiovascular health becomes a reality for all citizens — not a privilege for a few.
Caroline Costongs
Director of EuroHealthNet
EuroHealthNet remains committed to partnering with the European Commission, governments, health authorities, and civil society to accelerate progress and build healthier, fairer societies where every heart can thrive.
More information about EuroHealthNet’s vision for cardiovascular health in Europe can be found in our policy brief.
3.The Lancet , ‘Ultra-processed foods: time to put health before profit’, (2025)The Lancet, Volume 406, Issue 10520, 2601
Policy brief
EuroHealthNet’s vision for improving cardiovascular health for all
