Cardiovascular disease is responsible for 45% of deaths in Europe, according to an analysis published today.
Improved treatment and prevention mean that it is a less common cause of death than cancer in 12 of the 53 countries of the World Health Organisation’s European region, according to the study.
In the UK, more men now die from cancer than cardiovascular disease, researchers say. This also applies in countries such as Italy, Spain, Denmark, France, Belgium, Portugal, Slovenia, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
Across the 53 countries, heart disease is responsible for more than four million deaths annually, according to the study in the European Heart Journal.
The study also assesses the extent of disability caused by heart disease. In 2012 this was greatest in Ukraine and second greatest in Russia. The lowest rate of disability was found in Israel, Iceland and Ireland.
Researcher Dr Nick Townsend, from Oxford University, UK, said: “These figures highlight the wide inequalities between European countries in deaths from CVD. The 12 countries in which cancer has overtaken CVD as the main cause of death are all found in Western Europe, with nine of them having been members of the EU before 2004.
"The highest numbers of deaths from CVD tend to be seen in Eastern European countries.”
He added: “We need more research into why some countries are showing improved outcomes, while others are not.
“Improved data need to be collected in all countries in order to make comparisons on deaths and suffering from CVD between countries so that health professionals and national governments can target interventions more effectively to reduce inequalities."
Dr Mike Knapton, associate medical director of the British Heart Foundation, said: "This study is a reminder of the tremendous progress that has been made in fighting heart disease in the UK and across Western Europe.
“But we cannot be complacent. Around seven million people in the UK are living with cardiovascular disease. We urgently need to improve treatments and care for these people who are living with the pain, distress and disability caused by heart disease and stroke."
Nick Townsend et al. Cardiovascular disease in Europe: epidemiological update 2016. European Heart Journal 15 August 2016; doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehw334
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