Brits issued heart disease warning as UK at risk of being 'left behind'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The UK could be "left behind" when it comes to heart disease research, according to a warning from a leading charity. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) has estimated a shortfall of around £250 million over the next 10 years and warns that the 'ultimate price' will fall on patients and their families.The charity has urged the Government to increase funding to combat this disease, which is responsible for heart attacks and strokes, reports Bristol Live.

BHF's research revealed that an additional investment of £259 million over the coming decade would be necessary to maintain the current spending level for heart disease research set in 2022.Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the British Heart Foundation, emphasised: "Research breakthroughs have changed cardiovascular disease treatment and care beyond recognition since the 1960s, saving countless lives.

But we can't take this for granted."Approximately 7.6 million people live with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK, according to BHF estimates, a number that could rise due to an ageing population and improved survival rates from conditions like heart attacks and strokes.

Heart and circulatory diseases account for nearly 27 per cent of all deaths in the UK - equivalent to 480 daily or one every three minutes.