How much does Europe invest in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases?The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those of the Editors of the European Heart Journal or of the European Society of Cardiology.

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain the most important cause of premature death and morbidity in the European Union (EU). Although standardized mortality has steadily decreased over the last 15–20 years in most European countries, the absolute number of cardiovascular deaths remains relatively steady.1 Patients live longer, and experience more non-fatal events. With this epidemiological shift, the overall burden of CVD is likely to increase rather than decrease in the future. Economical consequences of CVD are therefore enormous, and are still rising as the population ages. For example, the cost of heart diseases and stroke in the USA in 2005 is estimated at 393.5 billion dollars,2 as compared with 298.2 billion in the year 2000.3 These estimates include not only direct, but also indirect costs—incurred outside of health-care sector—such as loss of productivity and informal care provided by patients' families. In this context it is interesting to note that, so far, no systematic evaluation of the economic impact of CVD in Europe has been available. The paper by Leal et al .4 is the … *Corresponding author. E-mail address : mtendera{at}kardio3.katowice.pl