FEWER people are dying prematurely from coronary heart disease in Wales, with the death rate falling by 68 per cent during the last 20 years.

Cardiovascular (heart and circulatory) disease is the biggest killer in Wales, causing more than a quarter of all deaths - more than 9,000 deaths a year.

An estimated 375,000 people are living with cardiovascular disease in Wales, four per cent of the population.

The Welsh Government’s Annual Statement of Progress on Heart Disease reveals the rate of deaths for all heart conditions has fallen over the past five years.

It also shows that:

• During the last 20 years in Wales, there has been a 68 per cent reduction in the rate of people dying from premature coronary heart disease, before the age of 75, with a 20 per cent fall since 2009 alone, due in part to the improved detection of heart disease amongst GPs, the ban on smoking in public places and other public health interventions, and better treatments;

• The number of people dying from heart failure has reduced by nearly 40 per cent in the last five years;

• There has been a steady reduction in the number of people dying from cardiovascular disease, with 1,000 (around 10 per cent) fewer people a year dying, compared to five years ago.

• Investments in community cardiology, have enabled health boards to develop services that allow patients to be diagnosed, assessed and where appropriate be treated more quickly, and closer to home.

Health Secretary, Vaughan Gething said: “Heart disease is a major killer in Wales, particularly affecting our poorer communities, with 1 in 7 men and nearly 1 in 10 women dying from the disease.

“The report shows the Welsh NHS has made continued progress in improving the care of patients with heart disease.

“We’ve seen a steady decline in the rate of people dying from all cardiovascular disease, thanks to advances in the field of medicine and improvements in lifestyle behaviours which reduce the risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular disease.

“But we’re determined to improve this further.

One avoidable death is one too many - we know there’s more to do in treating and preventing heart disease.”