Cardiovascular diseases remain leading cause of death in Croatia and Balkans

Medical experts and public health organizations in Croatia and the Balkan region are issuing warnings regarding the high mortality rates caused by cardiovascular diseases. In Croatia, cardiovascular issues accounted for nearly 40 percent of all deaths in 2024, with approximately 19,852 fatalities reported. Specifically, hypertensive diseases and ischemic heart disease remain the leading diagnostic subgroups.

To mark World Heart Day, various public health campaigns and events have been organized in cities like Zagreb and Osijek. These initiatives offer citizens free screenings for blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, and Body Mass Index (BMI). Experts, including Davor Miličić of the Croatian Heart House Foundation, emphasize that up to 80 percent of cardiovascular events are preventable through lifestyle changes such as improved nutrition, regular physical activity, smoking cessation, and managing blood pressure.

In the broader Balkan region, the Batut Institute has highlighted that heart and vascular diseases are the leading cause of death, contributing to millions of fatalities annually. Key risk factors identified include hypertension, physical inactivity, obesity, and environmental factors like air pollution. Health officials are advocating for the implementation of national plans for cardiovascular health to improve early detection and rehabilitation.