The MEP Heart Group is co-chaired by Dr. Georgs Andrejevs MEP and Dr. Adamos Adamou MEP. It is made up of MEPs who have an interest in addressing Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) in the EU and who are interested in contributing to initiatives that aim to reduce the burden of this disease. With over 40 members,the intent is to provide MEPs with an opportunity to generate dialogue, outreach and activities at EU and Member State level.
The main objective of the group is to promote measures that will help reduce the burden of CVD in the European Union and raise awareness of the disease amongst target audiences through a series of dedicated activities.
The meeting on 2 October was particularly timely as there were significant developments to address CVD in Europe during the last year. These include: the launch of the European Heart Health Charter with the official support of the European Commission and the WHO European region in June; the European Parliament’s adoption by an overwhelming majority (607-2) of a Resolution on ‘action to tackle cardiovascular disease’ in July, and the publication of the new European Guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention in clinical practice, in September.
The meeting in the European Parliament was chaired by Dr. Adamos Adamou MEP and was attended by 15 MEPs or their assistants, as well as representatives from eight national heart foundations and five signatories and supporters of the European Heart Health Charter.
The main topic discussed at this meeting was the new guidelines on prevention of cardiovascular disease in clinical practice. The Guidelines and the score chart accompanying them underline the multi-factorial nature of CVD and encourage health professionals to address lifestyle changes such as diets, physical activity, and smoking.
Professor Ian Graham, Chair of the Fourth Joint European Societies’ Task Force on cardiovascular disease prevention, who presented the guidelines, called on the MEPs to create the socio-economic conditions that are needed to prevent CVD at a population level and to support systems that facilitate implementation of the guidelines at a clinical level. Dr. Adamou equally underlined that a strong political action is needed to achieve this goal.
For further information:
About MEP Heart Group: EHN’s website
Full text of Prof. Andrejevs on the subject: action to tackle cardiovascular diseases
