Eastern Europe records highest heart disease death rates

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death across Europe, with the highest mortality rates concentrated in Eastern and Central European countries, according to data from Eurostat and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Bulgaria recorded the highest death rate at 1,076 per 100,000 people, followed by Ukraine (930) and Latvia (897), figures that far exceed Western European averages.

The data reflects a long-standing health gap across Europe. Countries in Eastern Europe, including Lithuania, Serbia and Romania, consistently report significantly higher cardiovascular mortality rates than their Western counterparts.

According to the WHO, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) account for around 45% of all deaths in Europe, making them the continent’s leading cause of mortality.

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Eurostat data similarly show that heart disease and stroke remain dominant causes of death, particularly in countries with lower healthcare spending and higher exposure to risk factors.

Public health experts point to a combination of structural and lifestyle factors driving the elevated mortality rates in Eastern Europe:

• Higher prevalence of smoking and alcohol consumption
• Diets rich in salt, saturated fats and processed foods
• Limited access to preventive healthcare and early diagnosis
• Economic inequalities affecting health outcomes

The WHO notes that many cardiovascular deaths are preventable through improved public health policies and lifestyle changes, including better nutrition, increased physical activity and stronger tobacco control measures.

Countries most affected

The ranking shows a cluster of high mortality rates across Eastern Europe:

• Bulgaria: 1,076 deaths per 100,000
• Ukraine: 930
• Latvia: 897
• Lithuania: 820
• Serbia: 757
• Romania: 749
• Belarus: 718
• Hungary: 650
• Estonia: 631
• Moldova: 609