European Initiative Has Launched Cardiovascular Screenings
A new health program across 21 countries is testing ways to identify undiagnosed heart disease and diabetes.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Heart Disease
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The European Commission’s JACARDI initiative has implemented 143 pilot projects to improve cardiovascular and diabetes prevention across Europe, including Norway, Iceland, and Ukraine. The program focuses on expanding access to essential health checks for citizens.
Why it matters
Cardiovascular diseases remain leading drivers of premature mortality and health inequality in Europe, making integrated screening pathways critical. This program aims to bridge the gap between initial risk detection and ongoing patient care.
Preliminary findings from the 2023-2025 data collection period reveal that roughly half of participants with high blood pressure remained undiagnosed. These results are drawn from international screening pilots designed to test both opportunistic and systematic risk identification methods.
The players
European Commission
The executive branch of the European Union responsible for funding and coordinating large-scale public health infrastructure.
JACARDI
A collaborative joint action initiative focused on reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease and diabetes through integrated screening and care.
The details
The JACARDI pilots use four methodological pillars: adapting existing tools, adopting proven strategies, abandoning ineffective practices, and adding new clinical components. By testing both opportunistic screenings and systematic approaches based on age or risk profiles, researchers are identifying the most effective ways to integrate cardiac health checks into routine care. This effort is supported by the training of 50 instructors and 300 professionals to standardize how providers identify and refer high-risk individuals.
Timeline
2023-2025: Data collection period for health surveys.
24 November: Showcase event for the projects.
2026: EU Screening Week.
Health Landscape
This effort advances the regional strategy to address chronic heart conditions by moving from fragmented, small-scale efforts to integrated, system-wide prevention. It aligns with the European Council recommendation on cardiovascular health checks to prioritize early detection in primary care settings.
If you reside in a participating country, you may see expanded availability of routine blood pressure and metabolic screening through your local primary care provider. It is worth discussing with your doctor whether you meet the age or risk-profile criteria for these expanded screening options.
The takeaway
Large-scale pilots suggest that many people living with high blood pressure are currently unaware of their condition. If you have not had a cardiovascular checkup recently, consider scheduling a visit with your physician to discuss your current blood pressure and heart health profile.
Further reading
For more on managing heart health, see our latest coverage in Heart Disease.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The European Times News.
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Do you believe local health systems should prioritize routine screening for cardiovascular risk factors in all adults?
