The EU cardiovascular health plan (Safe Hearts Plan) is a strategic response to the EU’s leading health challenge. Its aim is to deliver tangible benefits for citizens, health systems and society through a focused set of ambitious, high-impact actions. The Safe Hearts Plan is centred on three pillars – prevention, early detection and screening, and treatment and care (including rehabilitation) – and supported by three cross-cutting themes on digital innovation, research and knowledge, and tackling inequalities. It seeks to strengthen national policies while adding clear EU value.

P.5 Prevalence of lifestyle risk factors shows mixed progress. Tobacco use has declined in the last decade, but the 45% increase in vaping raises concerns about emerging nicotine habits. Over 25% of the population has an insufficient level of physical activity, and only about 60% of adults consume fresh fruit and vegetables daily. Alcohol consumption has slightly decreased, however harmful use of alcohol remains a key risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and other NCDs, especially among young people...