Did you know that one in five people die of cardiovascular disease? This leading cause of mortality and morbidity is not only affecting old, but also young people. In fact, this "volksziekte" has a dramatic impact on quality of life.
In the Netherlands 1.7 million individuals suffer from heart or vascular diseases, with projections estimating this will rise to 2.6 million by 2030. These conditions carry a societal price tag of €6.8 billion annually (2019) and hospital beds are full with patients- our healthcare system is not sustainable.
That's why the Dutch CardioVascular Alliance (DCVA) is urging political parties to prioritize cardiovascular disease. The focus is on:
1. Establishing a nationwide structured approach for early detection of (risk factors for) cardiovascular disease.
2. Enhancing awareness and understanding of heart failure, leading to better outcomes and quality of life.
3. Developing a sustainable data infrastructure to encourage smooth medical data exchange.
United in this effort, the Dutch Federation of University Medical Centers and the Heart Foundation are also calling upon policymakers to take action. Together, we can reduce the disease burden caused by cardiovascular issues, with a strong emphasis on translating existing knowledge into practice.
Support us to reduce cardiovascular disease.