The Romanian Heart Foundation launches the campaign "The 50/2030 Challenge: Cholesterol Under Control!"

On World Heart Day, the Romanian Heart Foundation launches, at the Palace of Parliament, the national campaign "The 50/2030 Challenge: Cholesterol Under Control!". This is an information, awareness, and advocacy initiative that puts into action a series of measures outlined in the National Strategy for the Control of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases 2025-2030.

The campaign starts with cholesterol control (especially LDL cholesterol, known as "bad cholesterol", which is the main therapeutic target), but addresses cardiovascular risk as a whole. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and smoking can accumulate and significantly increase the risk of myocardial infarction or stroke.

"Since 2025, Romania has had a National Strategy for the Control of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases. The real challenge now is its implementation, with measurable objectives and visible results for patients. 'The 50/2030 Challenge: Cholesterol Under Control!' is one such concrete step. If we want to reduce the cardiovascular burden, the system must shift from passive reaction to effective prevention, and from the mere existence of treatments to actually achieving therapeutic targets." — Prof. Dr. Dragoș Vinereanu, President of the Cardiology Commission of the Ministry of Health

The objective of the campaign is that, by the year 2030, at least 50% of patients with high cholesterol reach their therapeutic targets. In parallel, the advocacy component aims to activate existing tools within the system for the systematic evaluation of cardiovascular risk and the proactive identification of high-risk individuals.

"Cardiovascular risk does not begin at the moment of a myocardial infarction or a stroke. It accumulates over time through risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and smoking. Therefore, effective prevention means the systematic identification of cardiovascular risk and intervention before complications arise." — Prof. Dr. Dan Gaiță, Member of the European Heart Network Board

Concrete Measures and Strategic Directions

The National Strategy provides concrete measures for prevention and early identification of cardiovascular risk, including the development of reporting and tracking mechanisms for individuals at risk, the use of digital tools, and the creation of a network of County Centers for the Prevention of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases. By 2030, the target is for at least 50% of counties to have such centers.

The strategy aims to improve timely access to pharmacological treatment, including next-generation medications, and sets as an indicator a 25% reduction by 2030 in access times to innovative treatments for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

"Prevention and access to treatment must work together. It is not enough to identify a high-risk patient if they arrive too late for the intervention they need. The National Strategy establishes the objective of reducing by 25%, by 2030, the access times to innovative treatments in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and implementation must transform this target into a real outcome for the patient." — Prof. Dr. Dragoș Vinereanu, President of the Cardiology Commission of the Ministry of Health

The "The 50/2030 Challenge: Cholesterol Under Control!" campaign has two complementary components. The public communication component aims to mobilize the adult population to learn about their cholesterol levels and other cardiovascular risk factors and to consult a doctor for evaluation and establishment of appropriate therapeutic management. The advocacy component aims to transform prevention into a systematic process through the assessment of cardiovascular risk and the early identification of individuals in need of medical monitoring and intervention.