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Deaths from heart disease more than halved in last three decades in NI Deaths from heart disease more than halved in last three decades in NI
(about 7 hours later)
Deaths from heart disease in Northern Ireland have more than halved in the last three decades, according to research published by the British Heart Foundation.Deaths from heart disease in Northern Ireland have more than halved in the last three decades, according to research published by the British Heart Foundation.
In 2011 just under 2,000 people died from coronary heart disease compared with around 5,000 around 30 years ago.In 2011 just under 2,000 people died from coronary heart disease compared with around 5,000 around 30 years ago.
The report also claimed that 23,000 people in Northern Ireland are living with heart failure.The report also claimed that 23,000 people in Northern Ireland are living with heart failure.
The charity say more research is needed to try to beat the disease. The charity says more research is needed to try to beat the disease.
The charity's latest figures from 2011 show around 1,900 people now die from coronary heart disease in Northern Ireland each year, including 1,100 men and 800 womenThe charity's latest figures from 2011 show around 1,900 people now die from coronary heart disease in Northern Ireland each year, including 1,100 men and 800 women
In 1981 more than 4,900 people in Northern Ireland died of coronary heart disease. The majority of coronary heart disease deaths are as a result of a heart attack.In 1981 more than 4,900 people in Northern Ireland died of coronary heart disease. The majority of coronary heart disease deaths are as a result of a heart attack.
Heart failure Damaged hearts
Even though heart attack deaths in Northern Ireland are decreasing, BHF Northern Ireland says there is little evidence the same is true of heart failure. The most recent audit shows as many as 70 per cent of heart failure cases are caused by coronary heart disease Even though heart attack deaths in Northern Ireland are decreasing, BHF Northern Ireland says there is little evidence the same is true of heart failure. The most recent audit shows as many as 70% of heart failure cases are caused by coronary heart disease
Heart failure occurs when so much heart muscle is damaged by the heart attack that the heart can't pump blood around the body as well as it should. Three quarters of people with severe heart failure will not live beyond five years.Heart failure occurs when so much heart muscle is damaged by the heart attack that the heart can't pump blood around the body as well as it should. Three quarters of people with severe heart failure will not live beyond five years.
Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director at the BHF said: "It is pleasing that research has contributed to the dramatic fall in heart attack deaths over recent years. Prof Peter Weissberg, Medical Director at the BHF said: "It is pleasing that research has contributed to the dramatic fall in heart attack deaths over recent years.
"But this means that more and more people are surviving heart attacks with damaged hearts and there is now an urgent need to find ways of reversing that damage."But this means that more and more people are surviving heart attacks with damaged hearts and there is now an urgent need to find ways of reversing that damage.
"Our scientists are making great strides in this fight against heart failure, but success will require much more money and much more research to ensure that this momentum is not lost". "Our scientists are making great strides in this fight against heart failure, but success will require much more money and much more research to ensure that this momentum is not lost."
'Huge shock''Huge shock'
Eamond Teacy, 56, from Coleraine had his first heart attack aged 31. Eamond Teacy, 56, from Coleraine, had his first heart attack aged 31.
Mr Teacy said it came as a huge shock as he wasn't aware of any underlying heart condition and he was fit and healthy at the time. Mr Teacy said it came as a huge shock as he was not aware of any underlying heart condition and he was fit and healthy at the time.
He has since suffered two further heart attacks and in February 2012 he was diagnosed with severe heart failure.He has since suffered two further heart attacks and in February 2012 he was diagnosed with severe heart failure.
"About a year ago I started getting very short of breath and tired that's when I was diagnosed with severe heart failure and it felt as if my whole world had fallen in," he said. "About a year ago I started getting very short of breath and tired. That's when I was diagnosed with severe heart failure and it felt as if my whole world had fallen in," he said.
"I used to walk a lot and go to football matches but that's no longer possible for me and last year I had to give up my job. Heart failure has devastated my life. I try to hide it from the family but I know they worry all the time."I used to walk a lot and go to football matches but that's no longer possible for me and last year I had to give up my job. Heart failure has devastated my life. I try to hide it from the family but I know they worry all the time.
"Although research will one day find a cure, it's difficult to accept that at the moment nothing can repair my damaged heart.""Although research will one day find a cure, it's difficult to accept that at the moment nothing can repair my damaged heart."