Joint Statement by the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS), the FH Europe Foundation (FHEF) and the Lp(a) International Task Force

On the publication of the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan – the “Safe Hearts Plan”

In line with the Safe Hearts Plan, and building on the Commission’s vision for personalised prevention, EAS, Lp(a) and FHEF stand ready to support the development of an EU Protocol on Cardiovascular Health Checks that integrates early-life screening into a coherent lifecourse approach.

Such a protocol should include systematic lipid screening for children in the first decade of life, integrated into existing child health and vaccination programmes; measurement of a full lipid profile including LDL cholesterol, Lp(a) and triglycerides; family-based cascade and reverse-cascade testing; and seamless integration with adult cardiometabolic health checks.

Digital tools and artificial intelligence, aligned with the European Health Data Space, should be used to support risk prediction and personalised prevention, while ensuring transparency, explainability and clinician-mediated decision-making, in line with patient trust and ethical standards.

This approach is fully aligned with findings from Commission co-funded projects, including PERFECTO FH and FH-EARLY, and supports the Plan’s objectives to reduce inequalities, improve outcomes and strengthen health system sustainability.

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