Contributions to the improvement of healthcare management for cardiovascular patients in Portugal

© 2022 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier Espa ̃na, S.L.U. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is among the leading causes of morbidity, disability and mortality in Portugal. Despite the considerable decline in cardiovascular mortality as a result of improved healthcare access, diagnostic testing, new pharmacological treatments and regulatory measures, such as the new tobacco law, CVD remains the number one cause of mortality in women and is second to cancer in men. It is estimated that 75% of CVD cases are attributable to modifiable cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, thus meaning CVD can be prevented, treated, and controlled. Given the considerable economic, social and cultural impact of CVD, the need for health promotion and disease preventive strategies adapted to population characteristics is undeniable. Consecutive national health plans have been designed to meet this goal.