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 new analysis.
A report from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) 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.
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.
However, the charity says bold and targeted action from government to reduce early cardiovascular disease death rates by 25% over the next decade could reduce the annual total to 33,000 by 2035.
The BHF is drawing attention to the heart crisis as part of its latest campaign, Hearts Need More. The campaign is backed by former football star David Seaman, who has atrial fibrillation, and his wife Frankie.
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, BHF chief executive, said: ‘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.'
Professor Bryan Williams, chief scientific and medical officer at the BHF, added: ‘As well as dealing with the immediate crisis, government must think more radically about how services for preventing and early detection of cardiovascular disease are configured and delivered.
‘There is a huge opportunity to reimagine cardiovascular disease prevention by leveraging science, AI and technology to transform the way we deliver preventive health care. This government must also work to unleash the potential of our life sciences sector, to improve the nation's heart health while simultaneously boosting growth with the right strategy and investment.'
