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Healthy lifestyles become a political affair 

Heart disease is the number one killer in Europe, taking over 2 million lives every year1, yet it is a preventable condition. Some segments of the population such as women and young athletes are not even aware that they are at risk.

Experts from all over Europe will gather from today in Paris to exchange scientific knowledge, professional experiences, upgrade skills and propose strategies to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease across the continent. EuroPrevent is the annual congress of the European Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation2. . . .

Despite repeated campaigns calling for individuals to adopt healthy lifestyles including a balanced diet, moderate exercise, avoidance of tobacco and stress, controlling cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension, the public does not seem to grasp exactly what "prevention" entails. Cardiovascular disease is estimated to cost the European Union 192 billion Euros a year thus making efforts to check the ailment a political priority.

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