Malcolm Moss MP: Tackling Britain's biggest killer

Conservative MP Malcolm Moss sets out the concerns being raised in his Westminster Hall debate on cardiac and vascular health policy from 2010.

The facts speak for themselves; cardio and vascular disease (heart attack, stroke, diabetes and chronic kidney disease) affect the lives of over four million people in England, cause 170,000 deaths a year and are responsible for one fifth of all hospital admissions.

Cardiac and vascular disease remains the number one cause of death and disability in the UK.

Since 2000 the treatment of cardiovascular disease has been driven by a 10-year plan of action; the National Service Framework (NSF) for Coronary Heart Disease.

While there has been considerable progress made under this framework, there is a need for further action to be taken in order to see reductions in the rate of cardio and vascular disease.

With the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases on the rise (by 2050, if current trends continue, 60 per cent of British men will be obese) it is vital that the government commits to improvements in patient outcomes by filling the current gaps in services (Eg. congenital conditions and reducing inequalities).

The Cardio and Vascular Coalition, a national coalition of 41 voluntary organizations, is urging the government to commit to a strategic plan beyond 2010 that builds upon the NSF.

The Westminster Hall debate on April 22 in the House of Commons will be an excellent opportunity to question the government regarding its policy beyond 2010 and to push for a firm commitment to tackle Britain's biggest killer.