More people living after heart disease

The chances of dying from a heart attack or stroke in Scotland have decreased noticeably in the last decade.

According to figures released today by ISD Scotland, mortality for heart disease in Scotland has fallen by 43 per cent since 2004, while stroke deaths are down by 41 per cent. The statistics also show a reduction in health inequalities in the area.

Public Health Minister Maureen Watt said the figures showed government strategies were working. “These figures are a genuine success story for Scotland’s health service. But the real secret to further decreases in heart disease and stroke lies in people’s lifestyles. Taking regular exercise, stopping smoking and cutting down on alcohol are simple steps that everyone can take to reduce the risk of suffering heart disease or stroke,” she said.

However, heart disease remains the main cause of death in Scotland, accounting for around a third of all deaths. Recent figures by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) showed someone goes to hospital with a heart attack every 24 minutes in Scotland, and the charity has called for research to improve prevention and treatments for the conditions patients suffer afterwards.

Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director at the BHF said: “It is encouraging that fewer people in Scotland are dying from coronary heart disease and that the survival rate for heart attack is improving. But there can be no room for complacency. CHD is still Scotland’s single biggest killer and the death rate in Scotland is higher than the rest of the UK."