Hotspot figures for heart deaths

OLDHAM has been named a hotspot for heart disease deaths, despite action to encourage healthier lifestyles.

Research shows Oldham has the eighth highest rate of deaths in the country from heart disease, and the North-West has the highest death rate in England.

Worrying research from the cholesterol charity Heart UK and pharmaceutical firm MSD, has revealed a death rate of 107 per 100,000 from coronary heart disease in the Oldham primary care trust area.

The figures are worse then the regional average of 93.7 deaths per 100,000, the national average of 77.6, and the 65.6 rate in the South Central region.

The research shows a distinct North-South divide, and names neighbouring Tameside and Glossop as the top hotspot with 141 deaths per 100,000 people.

The Heart Hotspots Campaign was launched to highlight the postcode lottery of death from heart disease.

They also found that 65 per cent of people across the country are not worried about their heart health, even though 5 per cent have a heart condition and numerous others have cardiovascular disease risk factors including high blood pressure (19 per cent), high cholesterol (14 per cent) and type 2 diabetes (5 per cent).

Despite the grim picture, the number of deaths from coronary heart disease among the under-75s in Oldham declined steadily (1997- 2009) — down 255 over the 12 years, and the gap between Oldham and England as a whole is narrowing.

Alan Higgins, Oldham Director of Public Health, said “We are working hard to further reduce the number of people who are at risk of dying from coronary heart disease through a variety of services, initiatives and projects, particularly relating to smoking, inactivity and obesity, which are some of the main causes of coronary heart disease.

“This includes the NHS Health Checks programme, which aims to identify anyone aged 40 to 74 years who is at risk of cardio vascular disease; and to offer treatment and advice.”

He added: “There is also a specialist weight management service for those who are very overweight, an abdominal aortic aneurism screening programme for men, to identify weak spots in the major blood vessel; an improved stroke service; and a cardiac and respiratory rehabilitation programme.