Taking heart to stay well

PEOPLE in the Lothians should not become complacent about heart health, despite figures showing the area has the lowest cardiac death rate in Scotland.

Only 45 in every 100,000 people die because of heart issues, a picture significantly better here than on the west coast. However, as part of the Heart Hotspots Scotland campaign, a leading charity has said there is room for improvement in diet and lifestyle.

Experts warned that while the general picture in Edinburgh is good, a huge divide exists between rich and poor when it comes to the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Jules Payne, chief executive of Heart UK, said: “No matter where you live, understanding the risk factors and making simple improvements to your lifestyle can significantly benefit your heart health.”