Heart disease mortality rates are much higher in the North West than elsewhere in England, accordi...

Deaths from heart disease highest in the North West

Heart disease mortality rates are much higher in the North West than elsewhere in England, according to Primary Care Trust (PCT) figures.

According to a BBC report, charity Heart UK has used NHS figures for 2009. It finds the mortality rate in one North Western PCT, Tameside and Glossop, is almost four times that of the wealthy London district of Kensington & Chelsea.

Three out of five of the worst death rates from heart disease are in the North West, while the South has the lowest rates of deaths through coronary heart disease. Other North West areas with high heart disease death figures include Blackburn with Darwen PCT and Manchester PCT.

Leicester PCT also has poor mortality figures. The lowest death from heart disease areas include Westminster PCT, East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT, Dorset PCT and Surrey PCT.

In the North West, heart disease accounts for 93.72 people per 100,000. Kensington & Chelsea's comparative figure is 36.91 people per 100,000.

Heart Research UK lifestyle manager Barbara Dinsdale said: "People living in deprived communities, in particular, are at greater risk of developing heart disease due to several risk factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise and access to health education and advice."

Health insurance experts recently called for tax incentives for those willing to fund their own medical treatment through private medical cover.