MEPs back tougher EU action on cardiovascular disease prevention

Brussels, June 24 2026 (eu24news) – Members of the European Parliament’s Public Health Committee (SANT) have called for stronger EU action to prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), backing a report that supports the European Commission’s first-ever cardiovascular health strategy and places prevention at the centre of future policy efforts.
The report, adopted on Wednesday by 38 votes to two with one abstention, responds to the Commission’s “Safe Hearts Plan”, unveiled in December 2025. It urges EU institutions and Member States to take a more coordinated approach to tackling cardiovascular diseases and related conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cancer, and chronic kidney disease.
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in the European Union, accounting for around 1.7 million deaths annually. According to the European Commission, around 62 million people in the EU live with cardiovascular conditions, while nearly 13 million new cases are diagnosed every year. Experts estimate that up to 80% of cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, could be prevented.
The Parliament’s report calls for tougher measures against major risk factors. MEPs want stronger regulation of tobacco and nicotine products, including emerging products, and have urged the Commission to ensure that social media advertising is fully covered by EU tobacco legislation. Lawmakers further advocate promoting healthier lifestyles through balanced diets, including Mediterranean and Nordic dietary models, greater physical activity, and improved nutrition labelling. The report also calls for more research into the health effects of ultra-processed foods and energy drinks.
On healthcare, MEPs are pushing for wider access to cardiovascular health checks, particularly for people with known risk factors or a family history of cardiovascular disease. The text also highlights the need to reduce health inequalities and improve access to high-quality care across the EU. In addition, it supports broader deployment of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) awareness programmes and mandatory CPR training in schools and workplaces.
“For too long, Europe has focused on paying for the consequences of cardiovascular disease instead of addressing its causes,” said rapporteur Romana Jerković (S&D, HR). “This report marks a shift towards prevention. It calls for tougher and more progressive action on the commercial drivers of poor health, from the marketing of novel nicotine products to children to the lack of transparency around alcohol and unhealthy foods. If we are serious about reducing Europe’s biggest killer, we need public health policies driven by evidence, not by commercial interests.”
Shadow rapporteur Jessica Polfjärd (EPP, SWE) welcomed the vote, describing recent cardiovascular statistics as “a wake-up call”. “Cardiovascular diseases still cause more than 3 million deaths every year across Europe and remain responsible for roughly one-third of all deaths in the European Union,” she said. “With today’s vote, the EPP Group has ensured emphasis on the need to address interconnected non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes. We recognise the health benefits of traditional diets such as the Mediterranean and Nordic diets and highlight the importance of research and the EU life science sector in fighting cardiovascular diseases”.
The next major step will come in September 2026, when the European Parliament is expected to vote on the report during its plenary session. While the text is non-legislative, it will provide political guidance for future EU initiatives under the Safe Hearts Plan and shape discussions on prevention, public health, and healthcare policy across the bloc.