Urgent Action Needed on Heart Health to Reduce Scottish Deaths 29 September 2023 Prevention and detection key to ensure heart disease death numbers are reduced Charity holds heart health information day at Health Defence Hub in Maryhill This World Heart Day (29th September), Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is calling on the Scottish Government to step up its game to tackle heart disease related deaths. “It is imperative that we reach more people across the country to provide access to health information and life-saving health checks such as blood pressure monitoring, as well as providing access to supported self-management for those living with heart conditions to improve long-term outcomes.” The charity welcomed people from the local community to its Health Hub in Maryhill to book free blood pressure checks, receive heart health information and to take part in a heart health walk in the local area. Earlier this year, statistics released by the National Records of Scotland revealed that deaths from Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD) in 2022 were up 6% on the five-year average, indicating that decades of progress in reducing IHD deaths are in danger of being reversed. IHD continues to be Scotland’s biggest killer. The NRS figures revealed 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. The charity is asking the Scottish Government to take urgent action on preventing and detecting heart disease by ensuring communities have access to blood pressure checks. Chief Executive of Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, Jane-Claire Judson, said: “It is entirely unacceptable that after decades of progress, deaths from ischaemic heart disease are on the rise in Scotland. “The Scottish Government must act quickly and decisively to address the rise, prioritising early detection and prevention to ensure more people are able to live long and full lives in Scotland. “It is imperative that we reach more people across the country to provide access to health information and life-saving health checks such as blood pressure monitoring, as well as providing access to supported self-management for those living with heart conditions to improve long-term outcomes.” Today, the charity hosted a Heart-Health Day at its hub in Maryhill. People from local community groups were invited to attend to book in to receive heart health checks and find out more about the benefits of increasing exercise and improving diet on preventing heart disease. They also took part in a health walk, led by the charity’s Walking for Health Coordinator, Jacqueline Kent. In addition to its hub at Maryhill, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland also provides funding for cardiac peer support groups across the country. The charity launched its CHSS Wellness Garden in Drumchapel earlier this month, with the aim of promoting the benefits of gentle exercise on heart health. The charity’s Advice Line is 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