Heart lifestyle advice lacking

HALF of Britons who are at risk of life-threatening heart disease are not being offered diet and exercise advice by their doctor, according to new research.

An analysis of more than 770,000 patients newly diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity found that their GPs were regularly failing to suggest lifestyle interventions, which are known to reduce the risk of heart attacks, stroke and heart failure.

More than half of heart disease deaths are related to lifestyle factors, according to a Harvard University study carried out in 2019.

Every year more than 150,000 people die in England as a result of heart disease. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity are all risk factors for the dangerous conditions.