World Heart Day 2026

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On the occasion of the 26th World Heart Day, which takes place on 29 September 2026, the Health Directorate is renewing its partnership with the Luxembourg Society of Cardiology (SLC) and the World Heart Federation to raise public awareness of cardiovascular diseases. An event for the general public will be held on Saturday, 26 September 2026, from 10 am to 5 pm at Place d’Armes in Luxembourg City. “Heart health is something we build every day. Through this awareness-raising event, we want to provide everyone with simple, practical ways of protecting their cardiovascular health and thereby enjoy more years of good health,” says Martine Deprez, Minister of Health and Social Security.

Leading cause of death worldwide

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, they account for more than 42.5% of deaths recorded each year in Europe. In Luxembourg, they were the second leading cause of death after cancer in 2024, accounting for 1,006 deaths, or 23.3% of all deaths.

An information day open to everyone

Organised by the SLC in cooperation with the Health Directorate, the event on Saturday, 26 September 2026, will give the public an opportunity to learn more about cardiovascular risk factors and preventive measures. An information stand and an interactive health pathway will be available to visitors throughout the day.

The initiative is part of the National Cardio-Neuro-Vascular Plan 2023–2027 (PNMCNV), which aims to strengthen prevention, improve screening and early diagnosis, and optimise patient care.

For further information, the public can also consult the official santesecu.lu website, which features a section dedicated to cardio-neuro-vascular diseases, covering symptoms, risk factors, prevention and care. Simple steps that make a difference

  • Stay active every day: 30 minutes of physical activity a day can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 80%.
  • Eat a balanced diet: choose fruit, vegetables and whole grains, limit salt, added sugars and ultra-processed foods, and include healthy fats such as oily fish, nuts and olive oil.
  • Monitor your blood pressure: hypertension, which often has no symptoms, is one of the main risk factors. Regular checks by a doctor or pharmacist are recommended.
  • Get enough sleep: aim for good-quality sleep in a calm, screen-free environment.
  • Do not smoke: alternatives to cigarettes are not risk-free.
  • Avoid alcohol: no level of alcohol consumption is risk-free for health.

For more information:

Press release by the Ministry of Health and Social Security

Organisation

Ministry of Health and Social Security
Health directorate

Topic

Health - Well-being

Event date

21.09.2026