Environmental factors, such as air pollution, extreme temperatures, and exposure to harmful chemicals, cause around one in five cardiovascular deaths in the European Union (EU) — yet, these risks can be prevented. A European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing published today shows that environmental policies can protect millions of Europeans from heart disease and save lives.
Cardiovascular disease is the main killer in the EU: over 1.7 million people died from it in 2022 — one third of all deaths that year. Of these, key environmental factors are estimated to cause at least 18%. Also, more than 6 million new cases of cardiovascular diseases are diagnosed every year, costing Europe about EUR 282 billion, according to the EEA briefing ‘Preventing cardiovascular disease through a healthy environment’, published today.
Although the individual factors that cause cardiovascular disease, such as genetics and old age, are more difficult to modify, others, such as environmental and behavioural ones, can be addressed through targeted policies. The EU’s history of reducing air pollution shows that such policies work: the Union is already on track to meet the zero pollution action plan objective of reducing premature deaths attributable to air pollution by more than 55%, until 2030, compared to 2005.
The European Commission’s plan for EU cardiovascular health — currently in development — offers an opportunity to better integrate environmental factors of health into policy.
Key environmental factors
The key environmental factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease deaths are air pollution, extreme temperatures and extreme weather events, transport noise, chemical exposure to toxic substances (including heavy metals and endocrine-disrupting chemicals ). Across Europe, environmental drivers differ by region.
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Reducing environmental risks
Effective implementation of already existing policies is the first crucial step. For example, the Ambient Air Quality Directive will help lower pollution to levels in line with WHO recommendations, directly reducing cardiovascular risks.
Environmental cardiovascular risk factors can be further reduced through policies and interventions such as:
Reducing transport noise
Enforcing chemical regulations, accelerating the phase-out of cardiotoxic substances and promoting safer alternatives to them.
Preparing the health systems for climatic impacts on cardiovascular health through early warning systems, public health campaigns and targeted support for vulnerable groups (e.g. within heat-health action plans).
Facilitating the engagement of the health workforce by increasing the availability of environmental contents in the medical and nursing curricula.
Promoting the One Health approach: Protecting human, animal, and ecosystem health together leads to broader benefits for all.
Raising public awareness and education about cardiovascular risks from environmental stressors and promote lifestyle changes.
Introducing nature-based solutions: urban greening, parks, green corridors and blue spaces reduce cardiovascular risk by improving air quality, reducing noise pollution and encouraging physical activity.
