As of 1 September 2025, Harteraad and the Hartstichting are joining forces. Both organizations have been working together for years and now opt for a merger. Their goal: better care and life for people with cardiovascular disease and a healthier future for everyone. The Hartstichting reports this.
In the Netherlands, 1.7 million people have a heart or vascular disease. Without intervention, this number can rise to 2.6 million in 2030. Harteraad and Hartstichting want to improve prevention, treatment and support together. The merger creates a joint voice towards the government and healthcare sector, which means that the interests of patients are stronger.
Combine knowledge and resources
The new organization combines knowledge, resources and networks. Research, prevention, data analysis and advocacy are integrated, so that healthcare professionals, patients and loved ones can work together more effectively on a heart-health Netherlands.
Director-director Hans Snijder of the Hartstichting: “Together we can give patients a voice more actively, because they are our most important ambassadors.” Chairman Gerdy Schippers of Harteraad adds: “In everything we do together, we focus on making their lives more bearable and on reducing the planned growth in the number of patients. That is of great social importance.”
Phased merger
The merger is executed in phases. Teams, systems and processes of both organizations are merged. Colleagues, volunteers, patients and partners are involved in every step. Both organizations retain their name until January 2026. The merged organization then continues under the name Hartstichting.
