Together, we can #ChangetheBeat

Since May 2023, the MedTech Europe cardiovascular sector group has been rolling out a social campaign to raise awareness about the need to prioritise cardiovascular health on a European Union level. The campaign has been based on the research and policy recommendations from the publication An EU Action Plan for Better Cardiovascular Health drafted by the Cardiovascular Sector group made of experts from companies that bring solutions to patients’ doorsteps.

Cardiovascular diseases have been widely present among European patients and have affected numerous individuals, healthcare professionals and communities. Today, the medical technology industry provides a wide span of tools and solutions to prevent, diagnose and manage cardiovascular diseases. These include blood tests that identify patients with high cholesterol, high risk of heart attack and heart failure, modern imaging devices that detect narrowing of the arteries and many more. These tools help cardiovascular patients have longer and better lives. However, without a right policy infrastructure to replace the current fragmented policy landscape, change at scale will not be possible.

A holistic, well-rounded European cardiovascular health plan must prioritise prevention, early detection, diagnostics, and management of cardiovascular diseases. This approach will help pave the way towards positive change for individual patients, communities, and Europe. MedTech Europe’s Cardiovascular Sector group has outlined the A to Z of how a cardiovascular health plan could look like – go here to see how we can get to the heart of cardiovascular diseases.

A financial burden

But there’s more – did you know that the lack of a coherent plan for cardiovascular health causes financial burden? Around €210 billion is spent by European patients every year on cardiovascular diseases – but around €54 billion is spent to loss of productivity. A clearly defined policy framework would enable these resources to be reallocated to research, prevention, and patients in need.

Inequalities in diagnostics and treatment

MedTech Europe’s research showed that there are inequalities in relevant diagnostics and management of cardiovascular diseases across the European Union. For example, access to diagnostics and knowledge on prevention is lower in smaller member states and those with less financial power. Moreover, certain social groups are more exposed and vulnerable to cardiovascular diseases. A coherent policy infrastructure could bring about change to patients across borders, equally. Therefore, a clear European plan for cardiovascular should integrate elements of social equality and inclusivity with the aim of leaving no patient behind.

Let’s get to the heart of cardiovascular diseases

The year 2023 is all about advancing cardiovascular health.​ Setting up a regulatory infrastructure would have multiple benefits, of which the greatest are for both European patients and citizens. Help us put cardiovascular health high on the policymaking agenda – let’s change the beat.