Climate change is intensifying Europe’s cardiovascular crisis 

Photo by Engin Akyurt: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-patient-whose-blood-pressure-and-pulse-are-measured-in-the-hospital-20897581/

Climate change is a major and growing driver of cardiovascular disease in Europe. A new EEA briefing shows that worsening air pollution, rising temperatures and chemical exposures, amplified by climate change, are responsible for nearly one in five cardiovascular deaths in the EU. The briefing provides evidence to inform discussions on the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan, highlighting how climate and environmental policies are central to preventing heart disease. 

Key developments and highlights 

• Climate-related environmental exposures cause around 18 percent of cardiovascular deaths in the EU, contributing to almost 17 percent of the total disease burden. 

• Air pollution intensified by heat, wildfires, and atmospheric stagnation linked to climate change accounts for around 8 percent of cardiovascular deaths. 

• Extreme heat significantly increases cardiovascular hospital admissions, while cold exposure worsened by energy poverty remains responsible for nearly 7 percent of cardiovascular deaths. 

• The impacts are unevenly distributed, with vulnerable populations and lower income regions experiencing higher exposure and reduced adaptive capacity. 

Climate Change Context 

Climate change harms cardiovascular health by intensifying multiple risk factors at the same time, including temperature extremes, air pollution, wildfire smoke, and extreme weather, which increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. Heat and cold stress disrupt normal cardiovascular function through dehydration, inflammation, and blood clotting, while warming worsens air quality by increasing fine particles that damage blood vessels. Extreme events and long-term disruptions to healthcare, housing, and livelihoods further raise cardiovascular risk, especially for older adults, low-income communities, and people with existing heart disease. 

Global implications 

• Europe’s cardiovascular burden reflects a global climate and health challenge, with similar or greater risks emerging in regions with higher pollution and weaker health systems. 

• Climate driven environmental stressors threaten to reverse gains in cardiovascular disease prevention, increasing health care costs and productivity losses worldwide. 

• Strong EU action can help set global standards, linking climate mitigation, pollution reduction and non-communicable disease prevention. 

Urgent response needed 

• Put climate and environment at the core of cardiovascular prevention in the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan. 

• Reduce climate-driven exposures by improving air quality and protecting people from heat extremes. 

• Create healthier living environments through quieter greener cities. 

Read more about extreme weather here. 

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