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Merseyside Pensioners in Heart Disease Shock

Posted on: Wednesday, 5 October 2005, 09:00 CDT

By HOMA KHALEELI Daily Post Staff

PENSIONERS are a third more likely to develop serious heart disease in Merseyside than the rest of the country, a shock new report has revealed.

The study, which provides the most comprehensive ever picture of the region's health, also found the region's men are almost twice as likely to develop diabetes, and 6% more will be obese, compared with national averages. Leading public health expert Professor Simon Capewell, who led the study, said he was "appalled" by the findings, which showed Merseyside was trapped by "historic deprivation".

The survey, called In Sickness and in Health, exposes stark contrasts between the local population and the rest of the country, as well as inequalities between the six local authority areas.

Even in the richest areas of Merseyside, people were significantly more likely to smoke, and smokers got through more cigarettes each day than the rest of the country. It also showed people in Merseyside have more heart disease and more heart attacks than the national average.

Prof Capewell blamed much of the inequality on a culture on unhealthy living in the region, and the historic problems of high unemployment and low income.

He said: "Our grandparents have a higher amount of heart disease than elsewhere so there is a big gap in the family photos where their faces should be.

"We are trapped by the history of the area and paying the price of decades of unemployment and poverty.

"If you compare Merseyside to the rest of the country, 80% of the population is in the lowest deprived groups.

"So what's affluent in Merseyside could be middle of the road somewhere like the Home Counties.

"There's also a tradition in the North West of eating food with lots of fat, like fry-ups and processed foods."

A total 1,113 people of all ages took part in the research (46% men, 56% women).

Among the most startling results was the fact male pensioners from Merseyside had a 10.7% higher chance of developing cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, angina, stroke and high blood pressure.

A total 44.6% of men aged 65-74 developed serious heart disease, compared with a 33% national average. The figure was 29.4% for Merseyside's female pensioners, 7.2% higher than the national average.

But when the researchers looked across the age ranges, Merseyside men had just a 1% higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease, compared to a national average of 13.6% while women had a 14.2% risk compared to 13% in the rest of the country.

Other results included: Men smoked 1.6 more cigarettes a day in Merseyside than the national average of 14.5 a day. The figure rose by another 1.2 cigarettes in less affluent areas, while women smoked 14.2 a day, compared with the national average of 13.3 cigarettes.

Men in less affluent areas were 5.7% more likely to be obese than the national average of 21.6%, although women were at a 0.8% higher risk, against a national average of 29.1%.

Merseyside men were almost a third more likely to suffer heart attacks, with a 4.9% risk rate, compared with a national average of 3.8%. The region's women had a 2% chance of heart attack, compared to 1.7%.

A total 27% of the region's women were smokers, compared to 24% nationally, although the number of male smokers in the area are the same as elsewhere, at 27%.

Merseyside men were 4.3% more likely to have diabetes, compared with a national average of 5%. In women the figure was 1.5% higher than the national figure of 4.6%. Prof Capewell said the deadly effects of the health problems in Merseyside were born out by the numbers dying from heart disease in the region which was already known to be 25% higher than the national average.

This works out at around 5,000extra deaths a year in the region. It is hoped the study, commissioned by independent charity Heart of Mersey, will help health experts reach targets to improve the region's health by 2008Prof Capewell said although he found the report "shocking", there was reason to be hopeful.

He said: "The good thing about the survey is that you can look forward to a better future. The average income is going up and there's more hope and purpose and confidence in the area.

"Being the Capital of Culture and the regeneration money arriving in the city will contribute to this

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Source: Daily Post; Liverpool

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