Preventing cardiovascular disease through a healthy environment

This briefing provides information about how environmental factors contribute to cardiovascular disease in Europe. It also identifies how policies can help alleviate the problem. It is based on data compiled by the EEA and intends to inform discussions about the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan.

Key messages

• Environmental risk factors cause nearly one in five cardiovascular deaths in the EU.
• The main environmental cardiovascular risk factors include air pollution, noise, chemicals and extreme temperatures.
• Lowering exposure to these preventable environmental risks is key to reducing cardiovascular disease.
• The One Health approach can facilitate an effective integration of the environment in EU health policies.