As the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) matured, the leadership looked beyond education, congresses, and scientific journals. Indeed, to serve its members and address its mission of reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease, it seemed necessary to raise its voice at the European level and its institutions in Brussels. Indeed, many issues, calls, and regulations relevant for the ESC and its members were, and still are, developed and decided at the European level, e.g. medical certification, health policies, approval and registration of medications and devices, and funding of research.

A first attempt was made by the then ESC Vice-President John Martin in 2002 through the then Spanish presidency with little success, followed by numerous attempts over the following years. Importantly, during the Presidency of Panos Vardas, the Brussels Office was opened on 27 February 2013 with a team of staff focusing on EU policies to reach EU decision-makers more effectively.

Read the full article (European Heart Journal (2026) 00, 1–5) here!