Statements, Facts and Figures
Turning data into action
Turning data into action in cardiovascular health
Sharing knowledge to drive progress
Despite huge advances in cardiovascular medicine, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide.
At the European Society of Cardiology, we bring together real-world cardiovascular data from across our member countries and beyond to monitor the impact of CVD and use that evidence to support our call for cardiovascular health action. You can access this data in our eAtlas - a comprehensive digital tool that allows you to compare country data, covering everything from environmental, lifestye and clinical risk factors to sociodemographic characteristics, economics and health delivery and more.
Global and European impact
- +19.8 million lives are lost to CVD every year worldwid
- 1 in 3 deaths across the EU are caused by CVD
- 1 in 5 premature deaths (before age 65) in the EU is caused by CVD.
- 40% of all deaths in women and 37% in men are caused by CVD
- CVD kills more women than all cancers combined.
Environmental and preventable risk
- 18% of CVD-related deaths are linked to environmental risks.
- Air pollution is almost as deadly as smoking when it comes to CVD
- +50% of CVDs could be prevented through healthier lifestyles and better risk management.
Disparities and economic burden
- There are stark geographic disparities in CVD mortality across Europe, ranging from 20% at its lowest to 65% at its highest.
- CVD costs the EU around €282 billion each year – about €100 billion more than the total EU budget, yet only a fraction of that is spent on prevention.
Innovation and research gaps
- Between 2017 and 2022, only 4% of clinical trials were focused on CVD (compared with 24% for oncology and 12% for infectious diseases).
- In 2023, only one cardiovascular drug was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
- Just 25% of national CVD registries receive public funding.
Public Health Statements
Our official statements about cardiovascular policy and regulation
“High-quality data and real-world evidence are essential to improving treatment and driving care innovation. Improvements can only be made if the epidemiology of CVDs and their real-world monitoring and treatment patterns are accurately understood and built on strong evidence.”
Professor Thomas Felix Luescher
ESC President, 2024-2026
Our data – building a clearer picture of CVD
Shaping better care for our patients tomorrow
We believe that meaningful progress in cardiovascular health starts with evidence.
High-quality data and insights help us understand where we stand today, and how we can shape better care for our patients tomorrow.
Across our programmes, we collect, analyse and share real-world cardiovascular data to help clinicians, researchers and policymakers make informed, timely and equitable decisions to improve heart health worldwide.
ESC Atlas of Cardiology
A unique database on healthcare systems, as well as provision- and care services in cardiovascular medicine. It can serve as a European tool of comparative analysis to identify best practices and trends.
ESC-Oxford Burden of Cardiovascular Disease
As well as remaining the world’s leading cause of death, CVD is a major economic challenge. The ESC-Oxford Burden of Cardiovascular Disease study, which leverages insights from the ESC Atlas of Cardiology, examines the human and financial cost of CVD across our member countries, revealing the profound societal impact of heart disease and informing future health policy.
ESC Cardiovascular Realities
The ESC Cardiovascular Realities booklet translates complex data into accessible insights for policymakers and the public. It highlights key trends, inequalities and opportunities to strengthen cardiovascular care through prevention, research and innovation.
Patient Registries and Observational Studies
Public Health Events
Our public health activity comes alive through interactive workshops, forums and specialist events, which create spaces for learning and problem-solving. As well as hosting meetings between our leadership and policy stakeholders, we also work alongside partners such as European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH) for larger events in Brussels.