Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 18 million people lose their lives due to CVDs accounting for 32% of all worldwide deaths. In Greece, the situation is similar, with cardiovascular causes accounting for more than one out of three fatalities. As recorded by the Hellenic Statistical Authority, in 2019 (before the COVID-19 pandemic), there were 124,538 deaths, of which 42,777 were attributed to heart and cerebrovascular diseases (approximately 34.3%).
Yet, we could avoid many of these deaths through early diagnosis, increased awareness, and targeted interventions. Research shows that programmes focusing on high-risk individuals may prevent up to 1 cardiovascular event for every 500 people screened.
The ‘Prolamvano’ National Prevention Programme
In response to the urgent need for prevention, the Hellenic Ministry of Health launched the ‘Prolamvano’ Programme for the Prevention and Control of Cardiovascular Diseases, with funding from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan ‘Greece 2.0’.
Target group
‘Prolamvano’ is open to all citizens aged 30-70 with no known history of cardiovascular disease. The beneficiaries are estimated to be about 5.5 million people. The programme is provided free of charge.
Programme structure
‘Prolamvano’ is an integrated strategy for preventive cardiac screening, which is carried out in four phases:
- Free blood tests: The screening includes glucose and lipoprotein measurements as primary indicators for assessing cardiovascular risk. All citizens aged 30-70 with no known history of cardiovascular disease will receive a referral for the free blood tests via text messaging.
- Medical assessment by a personal doctor: The assessment of cardiovascular risk is carried out for free by a personal doctor (general practitioner, internist, cardiologist, etc.) based on specific risk factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes or prediabetes, smoking history, cholesterol levels—and using a data-driven risk score. Citizens who complete the phase 1 blood tests will receive a text message referring them for a medical evaluation.
- Specialist cardiac screening: Beneficiaries identified as very high-risk based on the screening and the cardiovascular risk assessment are referred for free cardiac screening, which includes cardiac ultrasound, cardiac assessment, and screening for symptoms of coronary heart disease. Again, at this phase of the programme, beneficiaries receive a referral via text messaging. Cardiac screening can be done in public or private healthcare facilities nationwide.
- Stress testing: In cases where suspicious findings arise, beneficiaries are referred for free stress testing to diagnose or rule out coronary heart disease, followed by coronary angiography, if required. Stress testing is available at University Departments of Cardiology as well as public or private healthcare facilities nationwide.
Gerasimos Siasos: ‘The greatest prevention programme ever designed in Greece’
The Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Professor of Cardiology at Athens General Hospital of Thoracic Diseases ‘Sotiria’ Gerasimos Siasos took part in the development of the programme and stated as follows:
‘“Prolamvano” is the greatest prevention initiative Greece has ever seen. It is the outcome of a collaboration between the Hellenic Ministry of Health and leading experts from the University and other Institutions. Many people avoid preventive check-ups and screenings owing to a lack of information, the fear of diagnosis, financial difficulties, or limited availability of healthcare facilities. Free and easy access to the “Prolamvano” programme is a step towards addressing these issues. Through early diagnosis and targeted interventions, such as changes in lifestyle behaviours, medication, invasive procedures, and regular monitoring, the programme can considerably reduce cardiovascular complications and thus improve public health and the quality of life for all citizens. Once fully implemented, we anticipate that the programme will prevent over 10,000 cardiovascular events or deaths. Indeed, the initiative provides us with a unique chance to collect extensive data on the impact of cardiovascular risk factors and their relationship to the occurrence of coronary heart disease. The valuable information gained will help improve cardiac care and pave the way for targeted treatments and future prevention initiatives.’
University Departments of Cardiology at the School of Medicine of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens participating in the programme:
1st University Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Athens ‘Ippokrateio’ (tel.: +30 213 2088027)
2nd University Department of Cardiology, Attikon General University Hospital of Athens (tel.: +30 210 5832355)
3rd University Department of Cardiology, Athens General Hospital of Thoracic Diseases ‘Sotiria’ (tel.: +30 210 7763734, email: kardiologiki.sotiria@gmail.com )
Further information at: www.cardio.gov.gr
Watch the guest appearance by the Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Professor Gerasimos Siasos, on the prime-time news bulletin of Alpha TV (Sunday, 23 February 2025).
During a health show on ANT1 TV, the Rector of the University of Athens, Professor Gerasimos Siasos, referred to the ‘Prolamvano’ programme as ‘pioneering’ and ‘a milestone for the country’.
In a statement to the Greek Sunday newspaper ‘Apogevmatini tis Kyriakis’ on 2 March 2025, among other things, Professor Siasos said ‘through—free—early diagnosis and targeted interventions, the programme can considerably reduce cardiovascular complications.’
An extensive post on parapolitika.gr outlines the programme’s beneficiaries and reproduces a statement by the Rector, Professor Gerasimos Siasos: ‘Many people avoid preventive check-ups and screenings owing to a lack of information, the fear of diagnosis, financial difficulties, or limited availability of healthcare facilities. Free and easy access to the “Prolamvano” programme is a step towards addressing these issues. Through early diagnosis and targeted interventions, such as changes in lifestyle behaviours, medication, invasive procedures, and regular monitoring, the programme can considerably reduce cardiovascular complications and thus improve public health and the quality of life for all citizens.’
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