Project: Action Statement on Heart Failure

One in five people can expect to live with heart failure at some point in their lives. The syndrome is the leading cause of preventable hospitalisations in the EU. It is also a major contributor to the burden of cardiovascular disease, which is itself the biggest cause of illness and death in the EU.

Despite its impact, heart failure is often not recognised as a healthcare priority. Urgent action is needed to protect citizens, health systems and economies.

The European Commission should:

• Incorporate heart failure into its efforts to help Member States meet international targets on non-communicable diseases, including knowledge sharing, funding research, and supporting prevention and best-practice care
• Consider heart failure initiatives for EU funding to support Member States in increasing awareness of heart failure, preventing the syndrome, training a heart failure specialist workforce, and investing in multidisciplinary and integrated care
• Ensure heart failure is considered in EU initiatives, such as the European Health Data Space, and the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan
• Develop and propose a concrete EU Action Plan on Cardiovascular Disease

The Council of the European Union should:

• Prioritise heart failure in upcoming EU Presidency agendas

The European Parliament should:

• Propose and draft an own-initiative report on heart failure
• Consider heart failure, and cardiovascular disease more broadly, in relevant Parliament reports on mental and physical health