00:00A new plan to tackle cardiovascular disease in Wales could prevent more than a thousand
00:06heart attacks and strokes and save the NHS nearly 18 million pounds over the next three
00:10years, according to Wales' top health authority.
00:14Public Health Wales has published its Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Plan, which focuses on spotting
00:19risk factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes earlier, and helping people make
00:24healthier lifestyle choices.
00:25The figures are stark. Cardiovascular disease, which describes a range of conditions that
00:30affect the heart and blood vessels, causes over a quarter of all deaths in Wales and costs
00:35the health service around £770 million a year. Beyond that, it's linked to long-term
00:40disabilities such as dementia, paralysis and reduced mobility, as well as devastating impacts
00:45on families.
00:47Experts say up to 80% of early deaths are preventable. The plan highlights that if 70,000 more people
00:53were supported to control their blood pressure, it could avoid more than 400 heart attacks
00:57and over 600 strokes. Doctors stress this approach is also about reducing health inequalities.
01:04People in the most deprived communities are much more likely to suffer from cardiovascular
01:07disease and face worse outcomes as a result.
01:11The prevention plan also sets out a bigger role for primary care teams so that GPs and nurses
01:16can detect and treat risk factors earlier. Prescribing medication like statins and blood pressure
01:22drugs where needed, while also offering advice on diet, exercise and stopping smoking.
01:28Public Health Wales says the approach will not only save lives, but also reduce the economic
01:32cost of cardiovascular disease to Wales. The ambition of the plan is clear, to help people
01:37live longer, healthier lives while easing pressure on the NHS.
01:41James Beach Watkins, reporting for Local TV.
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