Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland Calls for Urgent Action on Heart Disease as Deaths Increase 20 July 2023 Deaths from Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD) in 2022 were up 6% on the five-year average in 2022 This increase indicates that decades of progress in reducing IHD deaths are in danger of being reversed IHD continues to be Scotland’s biggest killer Scotland’s leading health charity Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is calling on the Scottish Government to take urgent action to reverse the increase in deaths related to Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD) in 2022. IHD continues to be Scotland’s biggest killer. Figures released today (Thursday 20th July) by the National Records of Scotland reveal that in 2022, IHD deaths in men were at the highest level since 2012, with IHD deaths in women at highest levels since 2016. At present, there are over 270,000 people living with ischaemic heart disease in Scotland. Allan Cowie, Chief Operating Officer at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland commented: “It is devastating that after decades of progress, we’re starting to see evidence that more people are dying from heart disease. “Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is calling on the Scottish Government to address this issue immediately, with a focus on detection and preventative action that alerts Scots to the early warning signs of heart disease and allows them access the treatment they need. “With the NHS still dealing with the impact of the pandemic, there is an even more urgent need for the NHS, Scottish Government, and third sector organisations in Scotland to work in partnership to deliver the care that Scots so desperately need. “People across Scotland deserve access to life saving treatment and information that will ultimately allow them to spend more precious years with family and friends.” Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland established a health defence hub in Maryhill last year which offers free blood pressure and cholesterol tests to people in the local community. It also provides access to health information, exercise classes and more. The charity’s Advice Line is also available to anyone looking for information about chest, heart and stroke conditions, and can be contacted at 0808 801 0899 or at adviceline@chss.org.uk