Jan 30, 2026
SAFE was pleased to attend the launch of the new MEP Cardiovascular Health Group at the European Parliament in Brussels. Chaired by MEP Romana Jerković (S&D, Croatia), the group met with around 50 delegates from the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health to discuss the year’s work programme and to mark the launch of a new publication by the Alliance: “A European Cardiovascular Health Plan: The Roadmap.”
Representing SAFE at the event were Arlene Wilkie, our Director General, alongside Liliana Curea from ALIA, Romania, and Adam Siger from Fundacja Udaru Mózgu, Poland. The formation of this dedicated group within the European Parliament represents a significant step forward in driving coordinated EU action to improve cardiovascular health outcomes across member states.
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Jan 30, 2026
The EACH Cardiovascular Health Summit 2025 in Brussels brought together policymakers, clinicians, researchers and patient advocates to address Europe’s biggest health challenge: cardiovascular disease.
The event focused on tackling inequalities, improving prevention and early detection, and strengthening patient‑centred care across Europe. A major highlight was the official launch of the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan by the European Health Commissioner, marking a historic step forward for cardiovascular health across the EU.
SAFE was represented by Arlene Wilkie, alongside SAFE members Marina Charalambous (Cyprus), Diana Wong-Ramos (Portugal), Adam Siger (Poland) and Dorina Dobreva (Bulgaria). Arlene participated in a high‑level panel discussion where she welcomed the new Plan but urged the community to ensure that stroke is not left behind, emphasising the need for integrated action across all cardiovascular conditions. Diana also took part in a panel discussion where she highlighted the importance of reducing inequalities across Europe and stressed how coordinated EU‑level action can help close persistent gaps in cardiovascular outcomes.
Jan 19, 2026
The updated Stroke Action Plan for Europe has been published in the European Stroke Journal, urging European governments to act now by implementing and funding comprehensive national stroke strategies in line with its recommendations.
This call for decisive action is reinforced by the recent OECD report ‘The State of Cardiovascular Health in the European Union’, which identifies stroke as the second leading cause of death from cardiovascular disease and a major contributor of acquired long-term disability.
Developed by the European Stroke Organisation and the Stroke Alliance for Europe, the Stroke Action Plan for Europe sets a clear roadmap for reducing the burden of stroke across Europe by 2030.
Building on progress made since the first Stroke Action Plan for Europe was launched in 2018, the revised document highlights both achievements and persistent gaps in care – particularly around prevention, emergency response, rehabilitation and life after stroke.
“The Stroke Action Plan for Europe is a wake-up call,” said Professor Simona Sacco, President, European Stroke Organisation. “We know what works, and the nations of Europe now have an evidence-based blueprint for delivering high-quality stroke care. But without the political will and investment to implement national stroke strategies, too many people will continue to experience preventable deaths and life-changing disability.”
The Stroke Action Plan for Europe is supported by the latest findings from the 2023 Stroke Services Tracker, which gathers data from 47 countries. While some countries have made significant progress since 2018 – including an increase in the number of national stroke plans – the data also reveal stark inequalities in, for example, access to acute treatments like thrombectomy, as well as long-term support for survivors.
- Only seven countries managed to achieve the recommended ‘door-to-groin’ time – the time from arrival in hospital to starting thrombectomy – of 60 minutes or less. In 12 countries, this delay was over 90 minutes, reducing the chances of a good recovery.
- Only 13 countries report having a dedicated programme for life after stroke and structured follow-up care remains rare, despite clear evidence of its importance for recovery and quality of life.
“Stroke is not only a medical emergency, it is a lifelong condition that demands a joined-up response,” said Professor Hariklia Proios, President, Stroke Alliance for Europe. “Stroke is the second leading cause of death from cardiovascular disease and a major contributor of acquired long-term disability. The Stroke Action Plan for Europe gives governments and health systems a clear path to improve outcomes. Action on stroke must start now.”
The Stroke Action Plan for Europe outlines clear targets in seven domains: primary prevention, organisation of stroke services, management of acute stroke, secondary prevention, rehabilitation, evaluation of outcomes and life after stroke. It also provides measurable benchmarks that countries can use to monitor progress.
“A stroke changes your life instantly. What happens next depends on the systems built around us on community and country-level. The Stroke Action Plan for Europe is a crucial step toward ensuring that survivors across Europe receive the care and dignity they deserve.” says Associate Professor Melinda B. Roaldsen, medical doctor and stroke scientist with lived experience.
SAFE and ESO are calling on national policymakers to work in partnership with people with lived experience, health professionals and stroke support organisations to implement the SAP-E and ensure equitable care for all.
About the Stroke Action Plan for Europe and the Stroke Service Tracker
The Stroke Action Plan for Europe (SAP-E), launched in 2018, provides a strategic blueprint to improve stroke prevention, care and life after stroke support by 2030. In addition, the Plan directly supports the objectives of the newly published EU Cardiovascular Health Plan, which calls for stronger prevention, earlier intervention and more coordinated action across cardiovascular disease, including stroke.
The Stroke Service Tracker (SST) was developed as a monitoring tool to evaluate Europe’s progress against the SAP-E targets, providing valuable insights for national stakeholders to drive improvements.
As reported in the recent 2025 OECD report ‘The State of Cardiovascular Health in the European Union’, stroke is the second leading cause of death from cardiovascular disease after ischaemic heart disease and a major contributor of acquired long-term disability.
Europe faces over 1.1 million strokes each year, causing nearly 460,000 deaths. Nearly 10 million people live with stroke’s long-term effects. The economic burden is immense – over a 20-year period to 2040, the costs are projected to rise from €60 billion to €86 billion by 2040 without urgent reform.
The SST continues to be a vital instrument for mapping progress and exposing areas where countries fall short. It is a call for action, innovation and investment to ensure every stroke survivor in Europe has access to high-quality, timely and equitable care – no matter where they live.
Dec 19, 2025
SAFE and the European Stroke Organisation welcome the publication of the European Commission’s EU Cardiovascular Health Plan. For the first time, the EU has recognised the urgent need for coordinated action on cardiovascular health, the leading cause of mortality and disability in Europe.
The Plan includes many positive commitments for stroke, including a strong focus on prevention, national cardiovascular health plans by 2027, rehabilitation, innovation and tackling inequalities. These measures have real potential to improve outcomes for millions of people.
In addition, this week the OECD published its report ‘The State of Cardiovascular Health in the European Union’. It confirmed that stroke remains Europe’s second leading cause of death from cardiovascular disease and a major contributor to acquired long-term disability.
It also highlighted that stroke prevention, acute care, rehabilitation and long-term support remain fragmented and unequally available across the EU.
Our joint response makes clear that for the Plan, framed as the ‘Safe Hearts’ plan, to deliver meaningful impact, stroke must be explicitly integrated across all pillars of action. We highlight key areas where further ambition is needed, including access to specialised stroke units, emergency pathways, structured secondary prevention, rehabilitation, life after stroke and research.
SAFE and ESO will work with EU institutions, Member States and partners to ensure that stroke receives the prioritisation it deserves.
Read our full response
Nov 28, 2025
We are pleased to announce that the programme outline for the European Life After Stroke Forum 2026 in Stockholm is now live on our website. Our scientific committee has worked hard to develop a programme that is filled with the latest research and best practice, with the voices of people with lived experience at its heart.
Programme topics include life after stroke in Sweden, the importance of physical environment in life after stroke, fatigue and understanding the mind after stroke.
Please click to view
