More action needed to cut coronary heart disease risk

Action needs to be taken to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, according to a leading charity.

While Heart UK acknowledges there are a number of factors contributing to the condition people can do little about, action must be taken to reduce risk factors.

One of the charity's registered dieticians and nutritionists, Linda Main, explained that the biggest risk factors are high cholesterol, smoking tobacco and high blood pressure.

These "can be influenced by what we eat, whether we smoke and how much we exercise", she explained.

"Stopping smoking can help increase levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) in the blood, a form of good cholesterol which confers protection," Ms Main added.

Figures from the Information Services Division in Scotland indicates that the average mortality rate for coronary heart disease for under 75s continues to fall.

The rate of reduction between 1995 and 2010 has exceeded the target of 60 per cent marginally.

However, the number of prescriptions dispensed for cardiovascular related drugs continued to rise over the last year.

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