OBJECTIVES: Polycythemia Vera (PV) is associated with an overproduction of blood cells which leads to increased risk of blood clots and associated cardiovascular (CV) complications and may result in increased morbidity and mortality. This analysis seeks to evaluate the impact of Hydroxyurea (HU) treatment on symptoms, concomitant conditions and cardiac risk. METHODS: Data was drawn from the Adelphi PV Disease Specific Programme, a cross sectional survey of physicians in 8 European countries.  171 specialists completed patient record forms (PRFs) on 969 individuals diagnosed with PV including details of concomitant conditions, symptoms, treatment history, cardiac and/or thrombosis risk status and control status (both defined by the physician). Each physician completed a PRF for the last 6 consulting patients.   RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that HU fails to adequately reduce cardiac risk in a proportion of PV patients. Despite treatment almost 1/5 (17%) patients were not considered to be controlled and 2/5 (43%) reported symptoms; hence need exists for better treatments.