European Heart Network

Public money must be used for public good Unhealthy diets are a major driver of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Europe, causing over 1.5 million deaths annually and contributing to 37% of all CVD fatalities, with high salt, trans fats, sugar, and low fruit/veg intake being key issues, linked to obesity and other NCDs. Food is not a commodity like any other.

EHN welcomes the overarching objective of the proposed MDR revision to accelerate patient access to safe and effective medical devices, while reducing unnecessary administrative burden. Timely access to innovation, continued availability of essential technologies, and a stronger patient-centred approach are particularly important for people living with cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of…

The European Heart Network (EHN) welcomes the patient-centred approach of the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe, with a view to foster patient access to innovative, safe, available and affordable medicines. EHN represents heart foundations and cardiovascular patient associations dedicated to improving cardiovascular health in Europe.

The European Heart Network (EHN) welcomes the publication of the EHDS proposal, one of the central building blocks for a strong European Health Union We welcome the aim to strengthen patient rights for primary use of electronic health data with the introduction of the new rules.

EHN welcomes the ambition of launching Council Recommendation on cardiovascular health checks and supports its objective to promote evidence-based, population-level screening approaches across Member States. We value the emphasis on early and systematic detection of cardiovascular and cardiometabolic risk factors to reduce cardiovascular events, premature mortality, and health inequalities (including those related…

The European Union has the competence to regulate cross-border marketing and to harmonise national rules in order to facilitate the establishment and proper functioning of the internal market, in particular the free movement of goods and services. In addition, the EU Treaties require the Union to ensure a high level of health and consumer protection across all its policies, including internal market policy.

The European Heart Network (EHN) welcomes the opportunity to provide input on the evaluation of the rules governing excise duty on alcohol and alcoholic beverages. Harmful alcohol consumption is responsible for an estimated 50 000 cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths in the EU. High alcohol consumption increases the risk of CVD by raising blood pressure and blood levels of triglycerides.

Smoking is the second largest cause of Cardiovascular disease (CVD) after high blood pressure. It is associated with 13% of all CVD deaths in the EU, which translates to almost 250 000 CVD deaths every year (around 165 000 male and 82 000 female deaths). The average prevalence of smoking (daily and occasional smokers; people older than 15) in the EU is 24%.