The EU has presented its first Health Plan for Cardiovascular Health

The plan brings about a fundamental shift in the approach to cardiovascular health—instead of addressing the consequences of disease at a late stage, it focuses on lifelong prevention and early detection of risks, including genetic diseases that are present from birth, such as familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Up to 2.5 million Europeans suffer from this condition, yet less than 10% of adults and 5% of children are diagnosed early.

The document supports the ambitious goal of reducing premature deaths from cardiovascular disease by 25% by 2035 and emphasises prevention that begins in childhood.

The plan also includes a Europe-wide project, FH-EARLY, focused on the early diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia. This project aims to provide earlier and more accessible diagnoses, better identify at-risk individuals, and improve the quality of life for patients and their families. At our faculty, the Horizon Europe program project is coordinated by Tomáš Freiberger and Lucie Bozděchová from the Institute of Clinical Immunology and Allergology of the Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University and St. Anne's University Hospital in Brno.

Would you like to learn more about the project and this genetic disorder? Read an interview with Professor Freiberger about the importance of prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment.

Read the statement of the FH-Early Consortium on the publication of the EU Safe Hearts Plan here.