Mersey Heart Deaths ‘Can Be Cut By 50%’

THE number of deaths from heart disease could easily be halved, a University of Liverpool scientist claimed today.

Simon Capewell, a professor of clinical epidemiology in the department of public health, believes a small reduction in cholesterol, smoking and blood pressure could save approximately 50, 000 in England and Wales.

There are 100, 000 deaths from coronary heart disease a year.

Prof Capewell said: “The incidence of heart disease has reached epidemic proportions. Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in this country and death rates in Liverpool and Merseyside are 30% higher than the rest of the UK.

“In recent decades, secondary prevention – medical intervention for the treatment of established disease – has become more effective. But some of the risk factors can be reduced by primary prevention, in other words intervening before the disease causes a heart attack or angina. This means a healthier diet, quitting smoking and more exercise.

“Our research has found that even a small reduction in cholesterol, smoking and blood pressure could have a dramatic effect on the number of deaths every year.

Professor Capewell, whose findings are published in a new Health Development Agency briefing paper, has recently helped to launch a new initiative in Merseyside called the Heart of Mersey Coronary Heart Disease Programme, which aims to cut the unusually high number of deaths from the disease across the region.