Almost 100 people died prematurely from heart and circulatory diseases in Carlisle in 2022, new figures show.

New research from the British Heart Foundation has found the premature death rate from these conditions has hit a 14-year high across the country.

Heart and circulatory diseases are any which impacts the blood vessels – including coronary heart disease and strokes.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics suggest 343 people died from these conditions in Carlisle in 2022 – 89 of whom were under 75, and therefore classed as premature.

From 2020 to 2022 an average of 89 people died early.

Across England, the rate of premature deaths from heart disease has been on the rise since 2020. Analysis from the BHF shows it reached 80 per 100,000 people in 2022 – the highest rate since 2011, when it was 83.

Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, associate medical director at the BHF and a consultant cardiologist, said: "We’re in the grip of the worst heart care crisis in living memory.

"Every part of the system providing heart care is damaged, from prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery; to crucial research that could give us faster and better treatments.

"This is happening at a time when more people are getting sicker and need the NHS more than ever."

She said it was "tragic" progress had been lost in the fight against heart disease. Deaths from cardiovascular conditions had been on the decline for nearly sixty years.

Heart and circulatory disease, also known as cardiovascular disease, causes a quarter of all deaths in the UK and is the largest cause of premature mortality in deprived areas.

Heart attack symptoms and signs can vary from person to person. The most common symptoms are squeezing across the chest of a feeling of unease.

But symptoms don’t always feel severe – lesser-known symptoms include a feeling of pressure or heaviness across your chest, shortness of breath, feeling or being sick and back or jaw pain without any chest pain.

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Omolara Plang, Registrar at the West Cumberland Hospital, said: “The best advice I can give for people to look after their hearts is to get active, eat healthy and learn to recognise and manage stress.

“If you’re worried then don’t ignore it. Speak to your doctor.”