A CAMPAIGN to stop hundreds of people dying prematurely from heart disease is being launched across parts of North Yorkshire.

To reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes the Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group is calling on residents to get involved in their Healthy Hearts campaign. Last year 880 deaths in the area were caused by circulatory diseases.

Shaun O’Connell, the CCG lead for Acute Service Transformation said they will be working to reduce cases of high cholesterol and blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and heart failure.

He added: "We are committed to improving the healthcare of patients who have cardiovascular disease, or are at risk of developing it, because it remains one of the biggest health challenges in our area.

"This is why we’ve launched the Healthy Hearts programme, which will see local GPs, nurses, hospital specialists and pharmacists work together to reduce cases of heart attack and strokes.

"This ambitious programme aims to reduce the number of deaths from cardiovascular disease by 10 per cent in our region over the next five years.

"There are also many things people can do to improve their cardiovascular health."

Staff will be concentrating on ensuring health problems are diagnosed and the best medication and treatment is given to patients, after analysis found premature deaths in the Vale of York from heart disease could be worse than in other areas. Across England more than a quarter of all deaths are caused by cardiovascular diseases.

The CCG is appealing to residents to consult the new website; valeofyorkhealthyhearts.co.uk