Plea for action on heart disease

THE SCOTTISH Government has been urged to address years of “underinvestment” in heart disease.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) has warned that progress made in the fight against the condition is at risk unless it is made an urgent priority.

While there has been a significant reduction in death rates since the BHF was established in the 1960s, the charity warns that progress is stalling, and that action is needed now if advances are to be maintained.

Research has suggested that people with underlying health conditions such as coronary heart disease and heart failure are at increased risk of severe complications from coronavirus and an increased risk of death.

BHF Scotland is calling for a new heart disease strategy for Scotland to be developed, underpinned by the required investment.

David McColgan, senior policy and public affairs manager at BHF Scotland, said: “Heart disease is a major cause of ill health and death in Scotland and yet the Scottish Government’s plans to tackle heart disease haven’t been updated since 2014.

“During this time, there have been a lot of changes in the health care system, not least due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Health inequalities also remain. Rates of heart and circulatory diseases in the most deprived areas of Scotland are significantly higher than those in the least deprived areas.

“Dealing with these challenges and years of underinvestment means that new national priorities for addressing heart disease in Scotland are needed.

“That’s why BHF Scotland has been working with the clinical community and heart patients to identify them. As we look forward to the Scottish elections in May, we are calling on all political parties to commit to work with us to tackle these issues.”