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How’s your heart? Share your heart health story on Valentine’s Day

MEPs tackle Europe’s top killer in awareness raising campaign #loveyourheart2016

On Valentine’s Day, EU policymakers would love to know “How’s your heart?” to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease, the first cause of death in Europe, and to call for action.

Public Health
Risk Factors and Prevention
Health Policy

Brussels, 12 February 2016: On Valentine’s Day, EU policymakers would love to know “How’s your heart?” to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease, the first cause of death in Europe, and to call for action.

The campaign is an initiative of the MEP Heart Group, which unites Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) wishing to raise cardiovascular health as a priority on the EU political agenda. The drive is supported by the European Society of Cardiology and the European Heart Network, whose mission is to prevent and reduce cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in Europe.

Despite steady decreases in CVD mortality rates across the continent, over four million people die of CVD yearly (1). Yet, up to 80% of premature CVD deaths could be avoided with prevention policies and early management of risk factors (2).

MEP Heart Group Co-Chair Mairead McGuinness MEP said:

“We all know someone who has been affected by heart disease. To date there is, however, no data to show how much people know about their risk. We also do not know how many people live with cardiovascular disease. This year on Valentine’s Day we are asking everyone to share their stories and call for policymakers to act.”

MEP Heart Group Co-Chair Karin Kadenbach MEP said:

“We want to show who the people behind the numbers are. Policymakers can do a lot to combat cardiovascular disease, such as banning trans fatty acids in food, and fostering green urban planning to reduce pollution and promote physical activity. CVD needs to be given the appropriate attention on the policy agenda.”

How’s your heart? Share your story on Twitter and Facebook using #loveyourheart2016


Thank you for your support!

ENDS

References

1) Townsend N, Nichols M, Scarborough P, Rayner M. Cardiovascular disease in Europe — epidemiological update 2015. European Heart Journal. 2015;36:2696–2705. http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/content/36/40/2696.full
2) World Health Organization: http://www.euro.who.int/en/what-we-do/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases/cardiovascular-diseases

Notes to editor

ESC Press Office
Tel: +33 (0) 4 92 94 86 27
Email: press@escardio.org

About the MEP Heart Group @MEPHeartGroup
The main objective of the MEP Heart Group is to promote measures that will help reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in the European Union and to raise awareness of the disease among target audiences through a series of dedicated activities. The MEP Heart Group is led by two Co-Chairs, Mairead McGuinness MEP and Karin Kadenbach MEP. The European Society of Cardiology and the European Heart Network provide support to the MEP Heart Group by running its secretariat.

About the European Society of Cardiology @escardio
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) represents more than 90 000 cardiology professionals across Europe and worldwide. Its mission is to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in Europe.

About the European Heart Network @ehnheart
The European Heart Network (EHN) is a Brussels-based alliance of heart foundations and like-minded non-governmental organisations throughout Europe. EHN has member organisations in 25 countries.