This report, The State of Cardiovascular Health in the European Union, provides a comprehensive assessment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) across EU Member States, combining the latest evidence on health outcomes, risk factors, and system performance with policy analysis and actionable recommendations. It examines trends in mortality, morbidity, and quality of life, highlighting persistent inequalities and the growing impact of demographic change and multimorbidity. Beyond describing the burden of CVD, the report explores the current landscape of prevention strategies, care integration, and digital health innovations. By aligning national efforts with EU priorities and promoting people‑centred, data‑driven approaches, this publication aims to support policymakers in reducing disparities, strengthening resilience, and ensure that cardiovascular health is embedded as a core priority within sustainable health systems.
This report was developed by the cardiovascular health team within the Health Division of the OECD Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs, who led the analysis and drafting process. It was co-funded by the European Union (EU) under the EU4Health Programme. Ana Sofia Carvalho, Niek Klazinga, Martin O’Flaherty, Luke Slawomirski, Aleksandra Torbica, and Veena Raleigh also contributed to the report as external consultants.
This publication would not have been possible without the efforts of national data correspondents who have provided data to the OECD and the other international data collections cited in the report, as well as the 22 countries that provided valuable data responding to the 2025 OECD Cardiovascular Policy and Data Survey. We are also grateful to all the national officials who have provided helpful comments on the draft of this report.
Co‑operation with the European Commission’s Directorate‑General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) was instrumental for the production of this report. The project benefited from input from a range of stakeholders, and in particular, the Global Heart Hub, the International Diabetes Federation, the Joint Action on CARdiovascular diseases and DIabetes in Europe (JACARDI), the Joint Action Prevent Non-Communicable Diseases (JA PreventNCD), the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health, the European Patients Forum, the European Society for Cardiology, European Stroke Organisation, the Stroke Alliance for Europe, and the World Organization of Family Doctors. We are also very grateful to the patient representatives who shared their personal experiences to be featured in the report.
The opinions expressed and arguments employed herein do not necessarily reflect the official views of the OECD Member countries or the EU Institutions.
For more information on the report, or to reach the OECD team members who contributed to the report, please contact HCQO.contact@oecd.org.