Football legend Souness calls for more funding into heart research

● Ex-rangers boss teams up with former cricketer to promote research

Scotland football legend Graeme Souness, who was diagnosed with coronary heart disease in his late 30s, is calling for more heart research funding.

The former Rangers manager, who suffered a heart attack in 2015, made the call as he visited the cardiac centre at St Thomas’ Hospital in London.

Souness, who became a British Heart Foundation (BHF) ambassador last year, was appearing with ex-england cricketer James Taylor, who was forced to retire when he was diagnosed with a inherited heart condition – arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.

The former sports stars met with researchers and heart patients, with Souness backing Taylor’s view that research is helping to save lives but much more needs to be done.

He said: “James’s bravery since his diagnosis has been truly inspirational.

“I’m delighted to welcome him to the British Heart Foundation as our newest ambassador.

“I never thought I’d be the type of person to get heart disease but it can happen to anyone.

“Heart disease is still one of the leading causes of death in the UK, and someone suffers a

0 Graeme Souness was diagnosed with coronary heart disease in his late 30s heart attack every three minutes. Research, funded by the British Heart Foundation, is helping to save and improve lives but we urgently need more support.”

About 680,000 Scots are battling coronary heart disease.

Professor Michael Marber, professor in cardiology at St Thomas’, is investigating new ways to detect heart attacks. The research could lead to a better blood test for heart attacks so people can receive the right treatment more quickly, improv- ing their chances of recovery. Taylor said: “I’m delighted to become a BHF ambassador. Before I was diagnosed with an inherited heart condition last year I had no idea I was at risk of suffering a deadly cardiac arrest.

“Fortunately, I was detected and treated early and my life was saved. Sadly, many people aren’t so lucky and 12 young people die every week in the UK from undiagnosed heart conditions.”