Cardiovascular diseases remain one of the most serious threats to the health and lives of Ukrainians. Medical institutions across the country collectively register more than 20 million cases of heart and vascular diseases every year. This was stated by cardiac surgeon and Director General of the Heart Institute of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine Borys Todurov during the scientific and practical conference “Modern Cardiology 2026.”
According to the physician, the full-scale war has also significantly affected the age profile of patients suffering from cardiovascular conditions. Heart attacks, cardiomyopathies, and other heart diseases are increasingly being diagnosed among people under the age of 40.
Cardiovascular diseases may remain asymptomatic for years
Borys Todurov stressed that cardiovascular diseases continue to be the leading cause of death in Ukraine. One of their major risks is that pathological changes can develop for a long time without noticeable symptoms.
A person may feel completely healthy while already having high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, impaired carbohydrate metabolism, or early signs of atherosclerosis. For this reason, regular preventive examinations and medical check-ups are particularly important.
According to the cardiac surgeon, symptoms that should not be ignored include:
- chest pain, pressure, or a burning sensation;
- shortness of breath;
- irregular heartbeat or pronounced palpitations;
- loss of consciousness;
- swelling of the legs;
- severe or unusual fatigue.
Todurov noted that seeking medical attention too late often means that organ damage has already developed, making the condition considerably more difficult to manage.
He also pointed to a trend toward an increase in hospital admissions caused by diseases of the circulatory system.
Cardiovascular diseases account for 68% of all deaths in Ukraine
Statistics from the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the Public Health Center illustrate the scale of the problem.
Key figures include:
- 68% of all deaths in Ukraine are caused by cardiovascular diseases;
- these conditions claim more than 1,000 Ukrainian lives every day;
- 36,678 cases of myocardial infarction were registered in 2025;
- more than 3.6 million Ukrainians are living with chronic ischemic heart disease.
These figures highlight the importance of early diagnosis, regular medical monitoring, and reliable access to necessary treatment.
Patients need continuous access to cardiovascular treatment
Svitlana Maksymova, Director of Marketing and Sales for the prescription medicines division of the pharmaceutical company Darnytsia, noted that the high mortality rate associated with cardiovascular diseases emphasizes the need to ensure access to appropriate therapy for Ukrainian patients.
According to her, pharmaceutical companies are responsible not only for producing high-quality medicines but also for working to keep those medicines accessible to people who require long-term, continuous, and regular treatment.
Modern Cardiology 2026 brought together around 500 medical professionals
The annual scientific and practical conference “Modern Cardiology 2026” was held in Kyiv on September 4–5 with the support of the Heart Institute and the pharmaceutical company Darnytsia.
The event brought together around 500 cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, and endovascular surgery specialists.
Leading physicians from Ukraine and Europe discussed modern diagnostic and treatment methods, exchanged professional knowledge, and reviewed current approaches to cardiovascular care. One of the conference’s key objectives was to help ensure that patients have access to the highest possible standard of cardiology care.