EU-Funded Project Sheds Light on Cardiovascular Diseases

3 Mar 2014 -- Increases in obesity, diabetes and plateauing decreases in blood pressure and blood cholesterol across Europe is highlighting the urgent need for better communication on the impact of food, nutrition and physical activity on cardio-vascular disease (CVD), according to an EU-funded project.

The EuroHeart (European Heart Health Strategy) II Project comes to an end today after three years of research into current CVD trends and analysis of EU-wide CVD prevention policies.

The project shed light on the tremendous scope for reducing CVD, primarily through improved diet and nutrition and a better communication of this. According to EuroHeart II, reductions in cardiovascular risk factors at population level, such as dietary salt, saturated fat and tobacco could reduce coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality substantially by up to one third in each country. Yet, adoption, implementation and evaluation of effective policies remain patchy and variable.

“The outcomes of the project will contribute significantly to the European Union’s health program ‘Together for Health’, explained Ms Susanne Løgstrup, Director of EHN. “If acted upon, the research findings and their accompanying policy recommendations have the potential to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases in Europe and, thus, help achieve the global target to reduce mortality from chronic non-communicable diseases by 25% by 2025.”

A European conference, followed by three regional conferences were organized in Germany, Italy and Slovakia to inform a wider stakeholder base of the evidence on food, nutrition and physical activity and their impact on CVD and the policies needed to change current patterns. These were followed by seven national meetings where policy recommendations were reviewed by representatives of health organizations, nutritionists, physical activity experts, representatives from national ministries, etc. Patients were equally involved through capacity-building seminars.

Developed and implemented by the European Heart Network (EHN) together with 29 partner organizations from 17 countries, including academia, research centers, NGOs and health professionals - namely the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) - the project identified best practices and policy initiatives for the promotion of cardiovascular health in Europe.

Following up on its predecessor, EuroHeart I (2003 – 2008), EuroHeart II demonstrated the continuing high burden of CVD, which remains the N°1 killer in Europe. Indeed, the 2012 European Cardiovascular Disease Statistics, elaborated by Oxford University within the project, indicate that 1.9 million people die from CVD in the EU yearly and four million in Europe overall. The statistics also reveal an increase in the overall financial burden of CVD, estimated to cost the EU economy over €196 billion annually.
 
The project reveals that Europe is facing a leveling out of previously decreasing mortality rates in certain population groups in several EU countries. Combined with increases in obesity and diabetes and plateauing of decreases in blood pressure and blood cholesterol, this confirms the imperative for policymakers to act now in order to avoid that the decline in CVD mortality observed over many years is reversed.
 
Expressing his appreciation for the work conducted within the framework of EuroHeart II, Professor Frans Van de Werf, Chairman of the ESC European Affairs Committee, concluded: “EuroHeart II is a new milestone in the fight against cardiovascular disease. It brings additional and concrete evidence for the need of EU-wide policy actions for CVD prevention. We trust that the European Commission will build on the outcomes of the project, namely to design a dedicated EU strategy for CVD.”