“Know Your Numbers”: Free Cardiometabolic Screening as Part of EU Screening Week 2026

Prevention Begins with Knowing Your Own Health Risk

Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of mortality in Bulgaria and across Europe. Many risk factors - such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, blood sugar irregularities, and obesity - can develop over the years without presenting clear symptoms.

For this reason, early detection and proactive prevention are top priorities in European health policies. The European Screening Week initiative is part of broader European efforts to improve cardiovascular health and promote a preventive approach, within the framework of the "Safe Hearts Plan" currently being developed by the European Commission.

Under the slogan "Know your numbers. Understand your risk. Take the next step," the Bulgarian campaign emphasizes health literacy and the importance of timely identification of cardiometabolic risks. The goal is to encourage individuals to take a more active role in managing their own health by knowing their key health indicators and understanding what these mean for their long-term risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

What does the free screening entail?

Between September 28 and October 11, 2026, individuals aged 35 to 65 will be able to undergo a free cardiometabolic screening at four medical centers in Sofia. The program includes a comprehensive assessment of key indicators for cardiovascular and metabolic health:

• Blood pressure and heart rate - to determine potential risk of hypertension;
• Blood sugar and lipid profile - to identify disturbances in glucose and lipid metabolism;
• Creatinine - for an indicative assessment of kidney function;
• Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference - to assess excess weight and abdominal obesity;
• Bioelectrical impedance analysis of body composition - to measure body fat, including visceral adipose tissue, which is of particular significance for cardiometabolic risk.

The screening combines rapid biochemical tests, digital measurement technologies, and a standardized process for collecting and presenting results. Each participant receives a personal "Know Your Numbers" card, which summarizes the measured indicators and helps them understand their individual health risk. If any abnormalities are detected, recommendations are provided for follow-up medical consultation and further testing. The screening does not replace a diagnostic medical examination; rather, it serves as a first step toward the timely identification and management of risk.

A Partnership Between Medicine, Technology, and Industry in Support of Prevention

The campaign is organized by the Bulgarian Society of Cardiology and the Digital Health and Innovation Cluster Bulgaria (DHI Cluster Bulgaria), with the support of MSD, Novo Nordisk, Hubis Telemedicine, Verum Clinical, and the "Health Under Pressure" coalition against obesity, as well as the participation of partner medical centers. The initiative serves as an example of collaboration between the medical community, the technology sector, and the industry in implementing practical solutions for prevention.

For the DHI Cluster, participation in the European Screening Week is part of the organization’s long-term mission to promote the adoption of digital technologies and innovative healthcare models - models that improve access to health services, support medical professionals, and place the patient at the center of the healthcare system.

Prevention is an area where digital solutions have the potential to create significant added value - by facilitating measurements, enabling the structured collection of health data, providing personalized risk assessment, and strengthening the link between early detection and subsequent medical care.

Through the "Know Your Numbers" initiative, the partners are laying the groundwork for a practical model of collaboration that could be expanded and applied in future preventive programs.

From One-Off Screening to a Sustainable Culture of Prevention

Beyond offering free medical tests, the campaign serves an important educational mission: to raise public awareness about the most common cardiometabolic risk factors and to foster a more responsible attitude toward preventive care. A key objective of the initiative is to demonstrate that prevention should not begin only after symptoms appear. Regularly monitoring a few essential health indicators can help identify risks early, allowing for timely intervention.

In a broader context, European Screening Week highlights the need for a more systematic approach to prevention within healthcare - one where early detection, health literacy, digital technologies, and follow-up medical care are integrated into a cohesive, interconnected process.

Further information about the initiative, the specific tests offered, and locations for free screening can be found on the campaign’s official website:

https://bgscreeningweek.com/

The campaign is aligned with the goals of European Screening Week 2026 and European priorities for improving cardiovascular health.