Sep 22, 2025
SAFE and the European Stroke Organisation (ESO) have jointly responded to the European Commission’s public consultation on the forthcoming EU Cardiovascular Health (CVH) Plan. With stroke being one of Europe’s leading causes of death and disability, we believe that it must be central to the EU’s strategy. Building on the Stroke Action Plan for Europe (SAP-E), we outline clear priorities to ensure that stroke is fully addressed within the EU CVH health plan to ensure that the people in the EU are supported at every stage, from prevention and acute care to recovery, research and life beyond.
Read the full consultation submission below:
The Stroke Alliance for Europe (SAFE) and the European Stroke Organisation (ESO) welcome the European Commission’s work on the EU Cardiovascular Health (CVH) Plan. We call on the Commission to place stroke, one of the most prevalent cardiovascular conditions, at the heart of the plan to ensure the EU achieves its objective of reducing its burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
As with all CVD, reduction in stroke are possible through preventive lifestyle interventions by legislative changes and fiscal policies (eg pollution and tobacco) and action on risk factors (eg hypertension, atrial fibrillation, diabetes and high cholesterol). Addressing these will reduce the impact and cost of stroke and all CVD. CVD prevention lowers stroke risk and quality stroke care reduces CVD recurrence. Stroke outcomes are improved when treated as an emergency and access is provided to specialised acute care, rehabilitation and long-term support.
Stroke is Europe’s 2nd biggest killer and the greatest cause of acquired long-term disability, responsible annually for 440,000 deaths and €60 billion in total costs. Yet prevention, acute care, rehabilitation, long-term support and research for stroke remain fragmented and under-resourced, leading to preventable deaths and disability. This perpetuates a sense of abandonment among survivors who face insufficient rehabilitation and community-based support. Investment in lifesaving interventions and research is essential and must go hand in hand with post-discharge services and support to ensure the lives saved are worth living.
Our Stroke Action Plan for Europe (SAP-E) highlights 7 priorities to fully embed stroke in the EU CVH Plan:
- Shared risk factors and primary prevention. Support actions to tackle the primary drivers of preventable CVD, promote systematic screening for hypertension and atrial fibrillation, and facilitate the exchange of best practices on opportunistic screening in primary care.
- Organisation of acute services. Recommend Member States (MS) ensure timely access to dedicated accredited stroke units, including EU-wide guidelines and benchmarks on stroke unit access and provided care, supported by coordinated emergency services and validated pre-hospital identification tools.
- Management of acute incidents. Promote faster access to life-saving interventions such as thrombolysis and thrombectomy by encouraging MS to set targets for maximum time between hospital arrival and treatment, connect smaller hospitals with specialist centres, and use EU funding to strengthen imaging and treatment capacity across regions.
- Secondary prevention and follow-up. Recommend MS create outpatient services targeting secondary prevention of stroke which are integrated into broader cardiovascular prevention policies and provide structured follow-up and rapid access to preventative drugs, surgical/device interventions and non-pharmacological secondary prevention/ lifestyle advice.
- Rehabilitation. Help restore independence and quality of life, by promoting minimum standards for early and intensive, multidisciplinary rehabilitation across MS, facilitate knowledge-sharing on effective pathways, and mobilise EU4Health funding to expand community and outpatient rehabilitation services.
- Life after stroke. Recommend MS integrate long-term support (including mental health, return-to-work, and social reintegration) into national frameworks, incorporating the role of patient organisations in support and advocacy.
- Evaluation, quality improvement and research. Propose EU-level stroke registries and performance indicators, foster systematic outcome monitoring across the stroke pathway, and embed stroke within CVD research agendas to advance prevention, acute treatment, rehabilitation and life after stroke.
Integrating stroke as a central issue in the EU CVH Plan will save lives, prevent disability and reduce costs. SAFE and ESO support these ambitions, including through our SAP-E, to ensure no one is left behind.
Aug 14, 2025
The European Commission has launched its public consultation on the EU Cardiovascular Health (CVH) Plan, and the deadline to respond is 15 September 2025.
This consultation is a critical opportunity to ensure that stroke, from prevention and acute care to rehabilitation and life after stroke, is fully integrated into the EU’s future cardiovascular strategy.
Why this matters
Cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, remain the leading cause of death and disability in Europe. The CVH Plan aims to:
- Prevent disease by addressing unhealthy behaviours and reducing risk factors
- Improve early detection and screening through EU-wide protocols, digital tools, and personalised treatment
- Enhance management, care, and rehabilitation, including non-medical long-term support for survivors
The plan will also explore the potential of emerging technologies, data-driven approaches, artificial intelligence and the European Health Data Space to create more predictive, personalised and equitable care.
How you can help
SAFE encourages its members, partners and the wider stroke community to respond to the consultation. Your input will help highlight the burden of stroke in your country and the urgent need for stronger EU action.
When submitting your feedback, you may wish to:
- Provide data and examples from your national context
- Suggest concrete actions and identify who should implement them
- Emphasise the importance of long-term, non-medical support for people affected by stroke
- Attach any relevant research or policy papers
Submit your feedback
To take part, click the button below and select ‘Give Feedback’
🗓 Deadline: 15 September 2025
Let’s make sure stroke is a central part of the EU’s vision for cardiovascular health.
Your voice matters.
Click for more information
Jul 24, 2025
Our fourth in-person European Life After Stroke Forum in Stockholm provides an opportunity to contribute to this important research space. We are actively seeking abstracts across three categories:
- Scientific – for completed or ongoing research focussed on life after stroke.
- Service development – for innovative service developments in life after stroke that could benefit others.
- Lived experience – for people who have experienced a stroke or those who have supported a loved one through it to share their experiences in creating change.
Join an international community of experts, practitioners and people with lived experience, all working to advance stroke recovery and best practice.
Deadlines
Lived Experience – 8 August 2025
Scientific & Service Development – 7 October 2025
Jul 3, 2025
Join Global Leaders in Stroke Care at WSC 2025 in Barcelona
The World Stroke Congress (WSC) 2025, set to take place on October 22-24, 2025, in the vibrant city of Barcelona, marks a significant milestone for the stroke community.
For the first time in over 15 years, the congress will return to Europe, providing an opportunity to advance the global conversation on stroke prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
This historic event brings together leading professionals, researchers, clinicians, policymakers and individuals with lived experience to collaborate on shaping the future of stroke care.
A Platform for Global Collaboration and Innovation
WSC 2025 offer a program designed to immerse attendees in the latest scientific breakthroughs and the most pressing issues in stroke research and treatment. From the frontlines of innovation to cutting-edge science, the congress feature a range of topics including:
- Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease (ICAD)
- Large Artery Disease
- Cardioembolism
- Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST)
- Stroke in the Young
- Rehabilitation and Recovery
- Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source (ESUS)
- Revolutionary Research Methods
- Hyperacute Stroke Treatment Advances
- Neuroimaging Innovations & Intracranial Hemorrhage Management
This year, WSC 2025 has crafted its program based on a deep dive into the most impactful research and groundbreaking publications from leading stroke and neurology journals. Attendees will gain exclusive access to insights and discoveries directly from those shaping the future of stroke care.
Building a Global Movement for Stroke Care
WSC 2025 is an opportunity to engage with trailblazers in the field, discuss current challenges and solutions, and be part of a global movement to transform stroke prevention and treatment.
The congress will place a strong emphasis on global collaboration, advocacy, diversity, equity and inclusion, ensuring that stroke care continues to improve worldwide. One of the key focuses will be providing opportunities for early career investigators to network, receive mentorship and further their professional development in the field of stroke research and clinical practice.
The program for WSC 2025 is now available, and early bird registration is open! Attendees who register by August 5, 2025, can take advantage of special early bird rates.
Register today and be part of this historic event in the fight against stroke: https://worldstrokecongress.org/registration
Jul 1, 2025
Congratulations!
Kyrgyzstan is now the 15th country to endorse the Declaration for Action on Stroke, marking a significant step towards improving stroke care, prevention and recovery services for its population.
By signing this declaration, Kyrgyzstan’s government demonstrates its commitment to recognising stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases as leading causes of premature death, long-term disability and cognitive decline among adults. The declaration emphasises that many strokes are both preventable and treatable through evidence-based, cost-effective interventions.
With this endorsement, Kyrgyzstan pledges to fully support the implementation of the Stroke Action Plan for Europe, aligning with its four key targets for 2030 and the broader goals of the WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases.
Read more here.
Jun 20, 2025
We are pleased to announce that the fourth in-person European Life After Stroke Forum will take place in Stockholm on 9-10 March 2026.
The Forum is a unique event where healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers and those affected by stroke can come together to address the issues of life after stroke. Our programme will be filled with the latest research, best practice and shared insights with the voices of people with lived experience at its heart.
We are actively seeking abstracts in three categories:
- Scientific – for completed or ongoing research focussed on life after stroke.
- Service development – for innovative service developments in life after stroke that could benefit others.
- Lived experience – for people who have experienced a stroke or those who have supported a loved one through it to share their experiences in creating change.
For more information or to submit an abstract, please click to visit our website.
May 21, 2025
Thank you to all those that came to the European Life After Stroke Forum in Prague on the 10-11 March. We are delighted to have so many of the European Stroke Community come together to continue to improve Life After Stroke. If you were not able to join us in Prague or would like to re-visit the best moments, we have included the links to the post-event materials that are available on our website below.
Click to view event slides
Click to view programme
Click to view scientific and service development abstract book
Click to view lived experience abstract book
Click to view forum report
Click to view photo gallery
May 19, 2025
SAFE was invited to meet with the new EU Health Commissioner, Olivér Várhelyi, as the patient organisation representative of the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health. During the meeting, the Commissioner outlined his commitment to advancing cardiovascular health (CVH) across the EU and shared plans to develop an EU CVH Plan.
Arlene Wilkie, our Director General, highlighted the importance of secondary prevention, rehabilitation and supporting life after a cardiovascular event – ensuring that the lived experience voice remains central in shaping future policy. We will continue to keep our members informed on the progress of the EU CVH Plan and what it could mean for improving stroke services across member states.
May 13, 2025
The 2023 Stroke Services Tracker data shows progress in stroke care planning and treatment access, but persistent disparities demand urgent attention.
New data from the Stroke Action Plan for Europe’s 2023 Stroke Service Tracker, launched today, show encouraging progress in stroke care across Europe – but also highlight serious inequalities that urgently need to be addressed.
A total of 47 countries contributed to the latest dataset, providing the most comprehensive picture yet of stroke care across the continent. The findings show improvements in national planning, emergency treatment and prevention. However, too many people who have had a stroke still face major challenges in accessing the care, rehabilitation and follow-up they need.
Stronger national commitment to stroke care
There is growing political commitment to tackling stroke. The number of countries with a national stroke plan has risen from 16 in 2022 to 24 in 2023, with 16 more countries currently developing one. Importantly, 30 countries now involve Stroke Support Organisations in shaping national stroke strategies and guidelines, ensuring people with lived experience have a voice in how care is delivered. Lithuania, Poland and Slovakia have recently joined this effort.
Programmes aimed at preventing stroke are also becoming more common. Lithuania, Sweden, the Netherlands and Germany are among the countries that have launched or expanded national prevention efforts in the past year, bringing the total to 23.
Improved access to life-saving treatment – but too slowly
Access to key emergency treatments for ischaemic stroke (which happens when a blood clot or blockage stops blood flow to parts of the brain) is improving, but unevenly. On average, 15.4% of eligible patients received clot-busting drugs (intravenous thrombolysis), and 5.9% underwent mechanical thrombectomy – a procedure to remove a clot directly from the brain.
Seven countries have now met the European benchmark of giving thrombolysis to at least 20% of patients, and 14 have reached the target of delivering thrombectomy to over 7.5%, based on high-quality data. Five more countries hit this goal using data of lower quality.
However, delays in treatment remain a major problem. 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.
Ongoing challenges in stroke unit care, rehabilitation and follow-up
Despite some progress, the organisation of stroke services and monitoring of quality still fall short in many areas. The goal of admitting at least 90% of stroke patients to a specialist stroke unit is only met in nine countries with reliable data. In contrast, some countries admit fewer than one in four patients to stroke units – and others don’t collect this data at all.
Only 22 countries monitor the quality of stroke unit care. The picture is even more concerning when it comes to rehabilitation after hospital discharge. Just 11 countries have systems in place to monitor the quality of rehabilitation services.
Early rehabilitation is available in stroke units in 22 countries (although data quality is low in eight). However, there has been little progress in ensuring patients have a rehabilitation and care transition plan which are essential for continued recovery. Just five countries systematically monitor whether such plans are given, while 14 estimate that they are provided, but without proper tracking.
Follow-up care after stroke also varies widely. Only 11 countries report that at least 90% of patients receive follow-up and just four countries offer structured follow-up that meets recognised standards.
Prevention of further strokes and improving patient outcomes
Preventing another stroke is crucial – nearly one in four strokes happens in someone who has already had one. But across Europe, there is little data on how well countries are doing in providing secondary prevention, or how many patients are getting the medication and support they need. This makes it difficult for policymakers to know where to act.
These inequalities in care are reflected in outcomes. In some regions, death rates within 30 days of stroke remain worryingly high, pointing to major differences in access to emergency treatment, rehabilitation services and longer-term support.
Life after stroke: support remains limited
Only 13 countries report having a dedicated national programme for life after stroke. While many address important aspects of recovery, support remains inconsistent. Twelve countries include ongoing health management in their programmes, while 10 focus on emotional adjustment and mental wellbeing. Eleven countries offer support for everyday activities and practical challenges, and an equal number provide information and guidance for both stroke survivors and their carers.
A call to action: bridging the gap between potential and practice
“The 2023 Stroke Service Tracker data show that while momentum is building in some areas – particularly in national planning and access to acute therapies – major gaps in organisation, delivery and equity of stroke care persist,” said Professor Hanne Christensen, Chair of the Stroke Action Plan for Europe. “There is no room for complacency. Countries must take these insights and act decisively to bring data collection and stroke care up to the standards that every person affected by stroke deserves.”
Arlene Wilkie, Director General of the Stroke Alliance for Europe (SAFE), added: “It is unacceptable that in 2023 we still see such wide disparities in access to stroke unit care, early rehabilitation and life after stroke support. Stroke survivors need holistic and continuous care. We call on all national governments and policy makers to do better in providing the essential services required for all those affected by stroke.”
Professor Simona Sacco, President of the European Stroke Organisation (ESO), emphasised: “The Stroke Action Plan for Europe provides countries with the framework they need to close the gap between aspiration and delivery. These data are both a roadmap and a challenge – to work smarter, faster and more equitably.”
Click to read more
About SAP-E 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. 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.
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 – €60 billion in 2017 – and is projected to rise 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.
Apr 29, 2025
The European Stroke Organisation Conference (ESOC) 2025 will take place in Helsinki, Finland on the 21-23 May. The scientific programme is focussed on:
- Acute ischaemic stroke management
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Intracranial haemorrhage
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Recovery, rehabilitation, and outcome
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Diagnosis / Etiology
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Risk factors and prevention (primary and secondary)
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Novel targets: experimental findings to clinical translation
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Digital transformation, AI and robotics
The medically focussed event will share cutting-edge research and insights in stroke prevention, treatment, diagnosis and rehabilitation.
Click to register
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