On World Heart Day, 29 September, we shed  light on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), a leading cause of death worldwide. This day serves as a global reminder of the importance of heart health and the need for concerted efforts to prevent and manage these diseases.

Global Heart Day encourages individuals, communities, and governments to take proactive steps in promoting heart-healthy lifestyles, improving healthcare access, and implementing effective public health policies to combat the global burden of cardiovascular diseases.

Despite numerous efforts at the EU level to tackle CVDs, significant gaps remain in addressing these issues at national levels. Belgium, for example, faces high rates of CVD-related mortality, and without a comprehensive national cardiovascular plan, efforts to improve heart health may remain fragmented.

What are cardiovascular diseases?

Cardiovascular diseases are health problems that affect the heart and blood vessels. They include conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, and issues with blood flow to the legs and arms. These diseases often arise due to blocked or narrowed blood vessels, which can be caused by factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle.  

Who is at risk?

CVDs are the leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for about 18 million deaths each year which makes up nearly 32% of all global deaths. In the European Union specifically, CVDs are responsible for over 3.9 million deaths each year, accounting for nearly 45% of all deaths.

Overall, CVDs impact people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities, but the risk increases with age and is higher among men and individuals with a family history of heart disease. Socioeconomic factors also play a significant role, with lower-income populations often experiencing higher rates of CVDs due to limited access to healthcare, healthy foods, and safe environments for physical activity.

How to tackle CVDs: the role of public health policy

While maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial, it is also essential to recognise the role of public health policies in tackling this issue. Effective policies, such as those promoting healthy diets, banning smoking in public places, creating opportunities for physical activity, ensuring access to healthcare, and prioritising early detection and diagnosis can significantly reduce the prevalence and burden of CVDs.

European Action: The Hungarian Presidency’s priorities

The topic of cardiovascular health has gained traction of the past few years. Indeed, it is a key priority for the Hungarian presidency (running from July 2024 until December 2024), as emphasised in the Council Conclusions and a draft concept paper developed by the Hungarian Ministry of Health in collaboration with the European Society of Cardiology. The document highlights the severe impact of CVDs in the EU and calls for a dedicated EU Cardiovascular Health Plan to address the uneven burden of CVDs. The document outlines the need for preventive measures, early detection, research funding, and rehabilitation support across all Member States.

The European Cardiovascular Plan is a strategic initiative designed to tackle the rising burden of cardiovascular diseases across Europe. It aims to reduce heart disease and stroke rates by focusing on prevention, early diagnosis, and effective treatment. The plan promotes healthier lifestyles, strengthens healthcare systems, and supports cardiovascular research and innovation.

The case of Belgium

Cardiovascular health is also a major concern in Belgium, heart disease and stroke being among the leading causes of death in the country, accounting for approximately 31% of all deaths which translates to around 30,000 deaths annually. Contributing factors include high rates of smoking, with about 19% of the adult population smoking, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and the prevalence of conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.

Ongoing negotiations of a new government

Around the election times in June 2024, several Belgian political parties prominently featured health as a priority in their manifestos, while others promoted cost-saving measures to the national budget, emphasising health primarily through robust elderly care and preventative initiatives.

Les Engagés, a centrist party known as the “health party”, was particularly committed to  addressing cardiovascular diseases, with a strong focus on prevention and public health initiatives.

Current negotiations regarding the budget for health reveal that CVDs are not being treated as a top priority and remain a sticking point between the conservative parties and the Flemish social democratic party.

Call for national action

Considering the burden of CVDs on the health and well-being of the Belgian population, different stakeholders across the field of healthcare are advocating for a national plan to address cardiovascular diseases. Experts highlight the need for improved prevention, education, and screening due to rising cases, particularly in people over the age of 50.

Several experts and organisations have pointed out that Belgium could improve by, among other, the following actions:

• Primary Prevention and Health Education: More robust primary prevention programs targeting risk groups could reduce the incidence of CVD. Implementing comprehensive public health campaigns to raise awareness of risk factors and promote healthy lifestyles.
• Secondary Prevention: Enhancing the early detection of CDVs that are not preventable such as structural heart diseases (SHDs). Routine screenings in risk groups can lead to a timely diagnosis and better disease management.
• Addressing Socioeconomic Inequality: Tackling the underlying social determinants of health, such as income inequality and education, is crucial for reducing CVD in the long run.
• Multidisciplinary Care: Encouraging collaborative approaches among healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated and holistic patient care.

What to expect next?

As negotiations for the new Belgian government continue, the future of cardiovascular health initiatives remains uncertain. While many politicians express interest in prioritising health, including cardiovascular issues, the specifics of what will be included in the government agreement are still under discussion.

RPP will monitor any developments. Please reach out if you have any questions!