Lancashire charities join call for action to avoid 11,000 premature cardiovascular deaths a year by 2035
There's calls for a heart disease action plan to reduce death and disability from cardiovascular disease
Up to 11,000 early deaths a year from heart and circulatory diseases could be avoided by 2035 in England with the help of a heart disease action plan, according to analysis by the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
In a report released today, the charity is calling for a bold package of measures that could help to reduce early death and disability from cardiovascular disease. These include reducing waits for heart treatment and care, addressing obesity and smoking, tackling health inequalities, and powering research and innovation.
Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of premature death, and for more than 50 years, groundbreaking research and advances in medicine helped to make huge strides towards reducing deaths from heart attack and stroke.
However, latest figures for 2022 show that there has been a three-year rise in the number and rate of these early deaths in England.
BHF modelling warns that, on the current trajectory, the number of premature deaths each year in England could continue to rise. This is due to a growing, ageing and increasingly unhealthy population, with widening health inequalities.
Up to 11,000 early deaths a year from heart and circulatory diseases could be avoided by 2035 in England with the help of a heart disease action plan, according to analysis by the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
Founder of Preston based heart failure charity Pumping Marvellous Nick Hartshorn-Evans says its vital action is taken.
"In the UK there are over a million people with heart failure, and over 200,000 people diagnosed every year with heart failure.
"It's very important to catch the reasons why and its very important that we do raise the awareness so we do fully back the British Heart Foundation's action plan."
Nick added: "I'm very concerned about the prevalence of cardiovascular disease.
"If its left untreated it can cause heart failure, its a very serious condition and it has a really poor prognosis unless it is caught early and treated. And it can be treated that's the main thing.
"People in their 20s, 30s and 40s need to be thinking about this because that's where it manifests itself.
"It just rears its head with many years of poor diet and lack of exercise and that's where it becomes a problem. So it's a society problem, not just a generational issue."
In a report released today, the charity is calling for a bold package of measures that could help to reduce early death and disability from cardiovascular disease. These include reducing waits for heart treatment and care, addressing obesity and smoking, tackling health inequalities, and powering research and innovation.
Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of premature death, and for more than 50 years, groundbreaking research and advances in medicine helped to make huge strides towards reducing deaths from heart attack and stroke.
However, latest figures for 2022 show that there has been a three-year rise in the number and rate of these early deaths in England.
BHF modelling warns that, on the current trajectory, the number of premature deaths each year in England could continue to rise. This is due to a growing, ageing and increasingly unhealthy population, with widening health inequalities.
The charity says bold and targeted action from Government to reduce early cardiovascular disease death rates by 25 per cent over the next decade could help to save thousands more lives each year.
The BHF is drawing attention to the heart crisis as part of its latest campaign, Hearts Need More. The campaign is backed by football legend David Seaman, who has an irregular heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation, and his wife Frankie.
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive at the BHF, said:
“We are witnessing an urgent heart crisis, and the devastating toll it’s having on people is one they are paying for with their lives.
“There is no quick fix, but if politicians put the wheels in motion now, we could potentially prevent thousands more people dying too young.
“There is no time to waste. Early deaths from conditions like heart attack and stroke are rising, the NHS is facing unprecedented pressure, and we urgently need to find more revolutionary treatments and cures. A heart disease action plan has never been more needed.”
The BHF is drawing attention to the heart crisis as part of its latest campaign, Hearts Need More. The campaign is backed by football legend David Seaman, who has an irregular heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation, and his wife Frankie.