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A new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) has revealed that one in five cardiovascular deaths in the EU could be prevented through cleaner air, reduced noise, and healthier urban design. The EEA briefing, published on November 3, 2025, warns that millions of lives could be saved each year if Europe strengthens environmental protections – with Spain now leading new research into heart health inequalities. Environmental risks behind Europe’s heart health crisis Cardiovascular disease remains the number one killer in the EU, causing over 1.7 million deaths in 2022, about a third of all fatalities. The EEA’s new briefing, “Preventing cardiovascular disease through a healthy environment,” attributes 18 per cent of these deaths to preventable environmental causes, including: Air pollution (fine particles and nitrogen dioxide) Extreme temperatures and climate-driven stress Transport noise Toxic chemical exposure, including heavy metals and endocrine disruptors These factors contribute to more than six million new cardiovascular cases annually, costing Europe roughly €282 billion per year in healthcare and lost productivity. “Environmental policies can protect millions of Europeans from heart disease and save lives,” the EEA said, urging governments to enforce clean air and chemical safety directives already in place. The EEA emphasises that effective implementation of existing EU laws is the most immediate way to cut heart deaths. Key measures include: Enforcing the Ambient Air Quality Directive, aligning with WHO air standards Reducing traffic noise and promoting low-emission transport Phasing out cardiotoxic substances and replacing them with safer alternatives Expanding urban green spaces and nature-based solutions to improve air quality and physical activity Strengthening heat-health warning systems for vulnerable populations The EEA also highlights the European Commission’s upcoming cardiovascular health plan (2026) as a chance to integrate environmental and health policies more closely. Spain’s CNIC research adds urgency Supporting the EEA’s call for prevention, new findings from Madrid’s Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) reveal a worrying gender gap in post-heart attack care. The REBOOT trial, presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2025 and published in the European Heart Journal, found that women treated with beta-blockers after heart attacks had a 2.7 per cent higher mortality risk than those not prescribed the drug – a difference not seen in men. Dr Borja Ibáñez, CNIC Scientific Director, said: “Women not only have a worse cardiovascular profile but also respond differently to common treatments. This should reshape how post-heart attack therapies are prescribed.” The Spanish-led study, which included 8,505 patients across Spain and Italy, underscores how sex-specific and environmental factors together shape cardiovascular outcomes. For expats living in Spain and southern Europe, the EEA’s findings carry direct relevance. Regions like Andalucía, Murcia and the Balearics face higher exposure to heatwaves, air pollution and traffic noise, all linked to elevated cardiovascular risk. The EEA’s data will inform the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan (2026) and future Zero Pollution Action Plan updates. If implemented, Europe could cut pollution-linked premature deaths by over 55 per cent by 2030, according to Commission targets. View all health news.
