Hot news: A national alliance to fight high blood pressure (hypertension) is launching in Romania – the 70/2030 Mission kicks off today at the Parliament Palace!

·       61% of cardiovascular deaths share high blood pressure as a common factor

·       6.6 million Romanians (1 in 2 adults over 50) have high blood pressure

·       Only 4.5 million (68%) have a diagnosed hypertension

·       Only 2.8 million (42%) are diagnosed and under treatment

·       Only 30% of patients with high blood pressure have their blood pressure under control

Bucharest, June 3, 2025: The Romanian Society of Cardiology and the Romanian Heart Foundation announce the official launch of the National Alliance for the Prevention, Detection, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure in Romania (RO-ANPDT-HTA) during a press conference held on Tuesday, June 3, at 11:00 AM in the Human Rights Hall of the Parliament Palace.

The new national alliance is co-chaired by Prof. Dr. Ovidiu Chioncel, President of the Romanian Society of Cardiology, and Prof. Dr. Dragoș Vinereanu, President of the Romanian Heart Foundation. The event marks a milestone in the fight against one of the most common and dangerous cardiovascular conditions: high blood pressure (hypertension)  responsible for 61% of cardiovascular-related deaths in Romania.

“Every year, tens of thousands of Romanians die due to the severe consequences of high blood pressure, even though regular blood pressure monitoring and adherence to prescribed antihypertensive treatment can extend the lives of those affected by this condition. We are extremely pleased that the sustained efforts of the Romanian Society of Cardiology are now much more effectively channelled within this medical alliance, which places patient care at its core,” said Prof. Dr. Ovidiu Chioncel, President of the Romanian Society of Cardiology.

One in two Romanians over the age of 50 has high blood pressure, which goes undiagnosed in one-third of cases. Moreover, only half of patients with a hypertension diagnosis have their blood pressure effectively controlled. The consequence is the early onset, even at a young age, of major complications of high blood pressure, such as myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, and heart failure. This is why high blood pressure continues to be called the “silent killer,’” stated Prof. Dr. Dragoș Vinereanu, President of the Romanian Heart Foundation.

The launch takes place within the framework of the strategic initiative “Mission 70 by 2030”, which aims to increase the blood pressure control rate in Romania from the current 30% to 70% by 2030, in line with European guideline recommendations.

Why do we need a National Alliance?

High blood pressure is known as the ‘silent killer’: of the 144,000 cardiovascular deaths in 2019, nearly 88,000 (61%) were due to high blood pressure and its complications.

6.6 million Romanians have high blood pressure, yet only around 4.5 million are diagnosed, and 70% either do not know or do not have their blood pressure under control.

Romania falls into the dark red zone for cardiovascular risk in Europe, indicating a very high-risk population, with a high incidence of cardiovascular diseases and a low level of effective treatment.

The RO-ANPDT-HTA Alliance aims to bring together specialist physicians, family doctors, pharmacists, national and local authorities, professional organizations, and patient organisations in a national mission guided by a long-term strategic plan. The goal is active prevention, early diagnosis, effective treatment, and the dynamic monitoring of patients with high blood pressure.

Event Agenda

The event was chaired by Dr. Val Vâlcu and featured presentations from some of the most important voices in Romania’s medical and policymaking community:

• Prof. dr. Ovidiu Chioncel – President of the Romanian Society of Cardiology
• Prof. dr. Dragoș Vinereanu – President of the Romanian Heart Foundation 
• Prof. dr. Adrian Streinu Cercel – President of the Senate Health and Family Committee
• Prof Carmen Orban – Member of the Senate Health and Family Committee
• Dr. Alexandru Florin Rogobete – President of the Chamber of Deputies Health and Family Committee
• Prof. Dr. Anca Dana Buzoianu - Rector of Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca
• Prof. dr. Cătălina Poiană – President of the Romanian College of Physicians
• Dr. Farm. Răzvan Mihai Prisada – President of the National Agency for Medicine and Medical Devices in Romania
• Prof. dr. Horațiu Remus Moldovan - President of the National Health Insurance House al Casei
• Dr. Simona Pârvu - General Director of the National Institute of Public Health
• Prof. dr. Elisabeta Bădilă – Vice-president of the Romanian Society of Cardiology 
• Prof. dr. Dan Gaiță – Member of the European Heart Network Board of Directors – Presentation: ‘Road Map
• Prof. dr. Dumitru Lupuleasa – President of the Romanian College of Pharmacists
• Prof. dr. Bogdan Timar – President of the Romanian Society of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases
• Prof. dr. Carmen Georgescu – President of the Romanian Society of Endocrinology
• Dr. Dina Mergeani – President of the National Society of Family Medicine
• Prof. dr. Gener Ismail – President of the National Society of Nephrology
• Prof. dr. Cristina Tiu – President of the National Society of Neurology
• Dl. Radu Gănescu – President of COPAC
• Prof Dan Dobreanu – Elected President of the Romanian Society of Cardiology

The Alliance’s Objective

Raise Romania’s hypertension control rate from 30% to at least 70% by 2030.

The event also includes the official signing of the Alliance Charter, the document through which partners formally commit to supporting the 70/2030 Mission and implementing concrete action plans.

The Romanian Society of Cardiology is a non-profit, apolitical professional-scientific association of cardiologists, physicians from other specialties with recognized clinical and scientific activity in cardiology, doctors working in functional exploration services in cardiac catheterization and interventional cardiology laboratories, and cardiology residents.

The Romanian Heart Foundation was established by cardiologists who are members of the Romanian Society of Cardiology. Its purpose is to implement the national strategy for cardiovascular disease prevention and to support public health campaigns in Romania.