This Narrative Review presents data describing the health burden of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) within and across the WHO European Region. CVD remains the most common cause of death in the region. Large disparities in data coverage and in country-level morbidity, treatment outcomes and mortality from CVD exist across Europe.

Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death in the European Union (EU) [1]. They cover a broad spectrum of medical disorders that affect the circulatory system (the heart and blood vessels), with atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) representing most of the cases. ASCVD is characterized by the abnormal build-up of plaques made of, among other constituents, cholesterol or fatty substances and deposited on the inside walls of a person's arteries. Some of the most devastating manifestations of ASCVD include sudden cardiac death [2], myocardial infarction (heart attack) [3], and stroke (loss of focal neurological function due to infarction or hemorrhage in the relevant part of the brain, retina, or spinal cord) [4].

The COVID-19 pandemic placed unprecedented stress on healthcare systems across the world, and the pandemic severely disrupted medical care for CVD patients and exacerbated cardiovascular-related risk factors [5,6]. The need to increase surge capacity for acute and intensive care beds, combined with the need to prioritize the use of personnel and personal protective equipment for COVID-19 patients led to modifications in regular service provision [7]. Some services were curtailed/postponed due to the number of COVID-19 patients and staff shortages occurred within hospitals and day care centers due to infection/quarantine procedures. Further, patients' access to medical services was hindered due to their own infection/quarantine as well as lockdown or travel restrictions. Existing studies have shown dramatic changes in CVD mortality during the pandemic and a persistent threat may have long-term effects on patients with CVD [8]. The development and implementation of evidence-based preventive and treatment approaches must be supported in all countries by consistent surveillance and monitoring, such that we can quantify the health burden of CVD as well as target interventions and provide impetus for action across Europe.