Death rates from coronary heart disease in under 65s in Ireland are now below the EU average for men and at EU average levels for women.
The figures, in a report published by the European Heart Network yesterday, indicate heart deaths among Irish men under 65 years dropped to 39 per 100,000 in 2005, compared with the EU average of 40 per 100,000.
And death rates for Irish women reduced from 48 per 100,000 in 1972 to nine per 100,000 in 2005 - the EU average.
The report offers no particular explanation for these trends but Dr Brian Maurer, medical director of the Irish Heart Foundation, said he attributed the improvements to prevention measures such as modern treatments and the stopping of smoking. But he warned obesity and other lifestyle factors may reverse the trend unless action is taken by Government to implement agreed policies.
The 2008 European Cardiovascular Disease Statistics report states overall cardiovascular disease causes more than 4.3 million deaths in Europe each year and over two million deaths in the EU.
There are huge variations in the numbers dying from cardiovascular disease each year. The disease is responsible for 62 per cent of deaths in men in Bulgaria, compared to 26 per cent of deaths among men in France. Among women, it is responsible for 71 per cent of deaths in Bulgaria and 31 per cent of deaths in France.
The report says coronary heart disease remains the most common cause of death in the EU.
Stroke, it adds, is the second most common cause of death in the EU, accounting for just 508,000 deaths each year.
In terms of stroke, Ireland surpassed the EU average of 15 premature deaths per 100,000 in men with a rate of eight per 100,000.
The same was true for women - the EU average stands at eight premature deaths per 100,000 but in Ireland the figure is halved at four deaths per 100,000.
The report shows the economic costs of cardiovascular disease is staggering.
"Cardiovascular disease cost the EU just under €192 billion in 2006, almost €110 billion of which was for healthcare costs and €82 billion was from lost productivity and the cost of informal care. The direct healthcare costs alone cost each resident of the EU €223 per annum," it said.