Key figures
- CVD causes nearly half of all deaths in Europe (49%) and in the EU (42%) (3)
- Coronary Heart Disease(CHD) remains the leading cause of mortality in men over 45 years, and in women over 65 years throughout Europe (1)
- 51% patients had premature CHD at the time of their first clinical manifestation of CHD (1)
- 20% of the coronary patients had previously diagnosed diabetes (2)
- Overall CVD is estimated to cost the European Union economy 169€ billion a year (3)
- CVD is the main cause of death in women in all countries of Europe and is the main cause of death in men in all countries except France and San Marino (3)
Trends
- A parental history of CHD is considered to reflect genetic, biochemical and behavioural components that may predispose an individual to be at higher risk of cardiovascular disease (1)
- Lifestyle interventions and risk factor modification reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality (2)
- There is considerable variation between European countries in patient lifestyles, especially for smoking (30% in Hungary, 15% in Italy), and in the use of prophylactic drug therapies (2)
- Coronary surgery patients who stop smoking are more likely to survive. (2)
ESC recommendations for CVD Prevention
- Stop smoking
- Make healthy food choices
- Be physically active ( at least 30 mn per day)
- Achieve a body-mass index (BMI) of less than 25 kg/m
- Keep a blood pressure of lower than 140/90 mm Hg
- A cholesterol concentration of less than 5.0 mmol/L
- A LDL cholesterol concentration of less than 3.0 mmol/L
- Control blood glucose
- Use appropriate prophylactic drugs when necessary
- Screen close relatives of patients with premature cardiovascular disease
ESC Network for concerted action
The European Society of Cardiology is relying on its European and National networks to promote cardiovascular health.
Learn more about ESC-driven prevention initiatives
References
(1) Screening of family members of patients with premature coronary heart disease – Results from the EUROASPIRE II family survey - European Heart Journal (2003) 24, 249-257
(2) Based on international market research performed in 6 countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland & UK), conducted by Psyma International Medical Marketing Research Gmbh and commissioned by the ESC & the Cardiovascular Round Table (CRT) Task Force 4
(3) Lifestyle and risk factor management and use of drug therapies in coronary patients from 15 countries – Principal results from EUROASPIRE II – European Heart Journal (2001) 22, 554-572. EUROASPIRE Study Group. Clinical reality of coronary prevention guidelines: a comparison of EUROASPIRE I and II in nine countries. Lancet 2001;357:995-1001.