The initiative attracted overwhelming interest, with 120 parliamentarians, staff and other participants attending screening sessions throughout the day. Demand was so high that organisers exhausted their supply of testing kits before the event concluded.
Participants received assessments of lipid levels, HbA1c and blood pressure, alongside measurements of weight and waist circumference. Results were used to calculate each individual's cardiovascular risk and were presented through a simple colour-coded card designed to support understanding and follow-up. Screening also included the use of a single-lead ECG device to identify possible cases of atrial fibrillation.
Specialist nurses trained in preventive cardiovascular care were available to provide guidance and interpretation of results. Participants identified as being at higher risk received vouchers for additional testing, including Lp(a) and NT-proBNP measurements.
“Demand was even greater than expected, helping to show politicians that screening can be done quickly by trained nurses” said Prof Cristina Gavina FESC, President of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology. “There was such strong interest that we've been invited back on World Heart Day on 29 September.”
Towards a national cardiovascular health plan
Discussions focused on how Portugal can develop and implement a national cardiovascular health plan aligned with the ambitions of the EU Safe Hearts Plan, while drawing inspiration from successful experiences in other countries, including Spain.
These discussions build on the Portuguese Society of Cardiology's Strategic Plan for Cardiovascular Health in Portugal, published in 2024 with ESC support. The framework outlines priorities across prevention, early detection, screening, treatment, care and rehabilitation. According to Prof Gavina, prevention and early detection must form the foundation of Portugal's future cardiovascular health strategy.
“We need a clear vision for prevention and early screening. That's what we are missing right now, despite having one of the oldest populations in Europe.”
She noted that although life expectancy in Portugal continues to increase, many citizens enter older age with a higher burden of cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities than populations in several other European countries.
“We need to help people enter old age in better shape than is currently the case. Health checks will empower individuals to improve their quality of life while helping health systems respond to the needs of ageing populations.”
Building support for screening
The success of the parliamentary initiative has already led to follow-up discussions with policymakers on how Portugal can translate cardiovascular health ambitions into a structured national plan.
Momentum is expected to continue during EU Screening Week in September, when the Portuguese Society of Cardiology plans to undertake a large-scale Know Your Numbers campaign in public spaces and workplaces across the country. Discussions are also ongoing with community pharmacists to explore how they can contribute to raising awareness and delivering point-of-care cardiovascular testing.
For the Portuguese Society, these activities demonstrate that screening can serve not only as a public health intervention, but also as a powerful catalyst for policy change.
“This kind of visibility translates into more interest and gives us new opportunities to show that testing can be straightforward and not very costly,” said Prof Gavina. “We're gaining momentum at the political level and with the general public who can see the value of knowing their risk.”