The European Union has recommended that people under 35 be screened at least once for heart disease, and that those aged 35 and older undergo regular checks. The guidance represents a significant step toward making cardiovascular prevention a routine part of life rather than a response to symptoms that have already appeared.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death across Europe, yet many of its most important risk factors — high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, diabetes — develop silently over years, producing no obvious warning signs until serious damage has occurred. screening aims to catch these risks early, when lifestyle changes and medication can still make a decisive difference. By extending the recommendation across the adult lifespan, the EU is signalling that prevention should begin well before middle age and continue thereafter. The policy is not without challenges, including the resources required to screen large populations and the need to avoid unnecessary tests. Still, the underlying message is clear: the earlier risks are identified, the more can be done to prevent the heart attacks and strokes that claim so many lives.
