Luxembourg treats hearts best according to the 2008 Euro Consumer Hearth Index, launched today in Brussels during a press conference hosted by the Health Consumer Powerhouse. There is a small group of countries that follow in this competition for excellence, separated only by some differences: France, Norway and Switzerland.

The Index compares 29 European cardiovascular healthcare systems in five categories, covering 28 performance indicators. The new Euro Consumer Heart Index conclusively demonstrates that effective prevention programs deliver a clear return on investment. Europe-wide gap is between guidelines for heart disease management; the realities of day to day clinical practice are also evident. Few countries have national screening programs and there is widespread under-use of medication, despite well accepted guidelines.

You can read the Recommendations for each country or go to the Media room to see the full Report, the Matrix and the Press releases.