*GHL 07 – The Growing Burden of Cardiovascular Disease on Healthcare

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the European Union (EU) and a major and growing cost to healthcare systems. It is responsible for nearly 2 million deaths and more than 29 million disability adjusted life years (DALYs) in the EU. The total cost of CVD in the EU was estimated at €210 billion in 2015, including €111 billion in healthcare costs, €45 billion in informal care and €54 billion in lost productivity. The most common CVDs are ischaemic heart disease (heart attacks) and cerebrovascular disease (strokes).

Reducing the number of serious cases and ultimately deaths associated with CVD can be achieved through increased prevention, such as "action plans" and targeted policies, civil society campaigns, as well as the introduction of increased screening and other means of early detection and diagnosis through cardiac imaging and laboratory tests, and care solutions provided by the healthcare industry and medical technology. Joining forces between the public sector in terms of policy action plans, civil society in terms of awareness campaigns and the private sector in terms of providing early detection technology is therefore key to tackling the double-edged sword of Cardiovascular Disease.