Positioning cardiomyopathy in the cardiovascular health plan
27.6.2025
Question for written answer E-002613/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Nicolás González Casares (S&D), Elena Nevado del Campo (PPE), Romana Jerković (S&D), Liesbet Sommen (PPE), Leire Pajín (S&D), Nikos Papandreou (S&D), Tomislav Sokol (PPE)
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death in the European Union, accounting for more than 1 in every 3 deaths and causing almost 5 000 deaths every day. CVDs take many forms. One of them is cardiomyopathy, which refers to a group of diseases that affect the heart muscle and are usually caused by inherited pathogenic genetic mutations. However, cardiomyopathy has received little policy attention.
Collectively, the various forms of cardiomyopathy affect around 1 in 330 people in Europe, and they can occur in patients of all ages. The prevalence of cardiomyopathy is rising, yet underdiagnosis, misdiagnosis and late diagnosis remain widespread. Cardiomyopathy can significantly impair patients’ quality of life and psychological well-being. It also generates significant healthcare costs per patient, primarily because of the hospitalisations required to treat cardiomyopathy-related complications, but also because of heart transplants.
In light of the above:
- 1.what is the Commission currently doing to help tackle the burden of cardiomyopathy on patients, families and healthcare systems?
- 2.is the Commission planning to incorporate cardiomyopathy into its upcoming cardiovascular health plan?
- 3.how does the Commission plan to promote early diagnosis of cardiomyopathy, given that it is often underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed or diagnosed late?
Submitted: 28.6.2025