RESIDENTS in Swindon are being urged to maintain a healthy diet after figures released by the British Heart Foundation revealed nearly 10,000 people under 65 suffered a fatal heart attack last year – the equivalent of 200 deaths every week.

The figures were released by the charity as it launched a campaign to highlight how heart conditions, including heart attacks, can suddenly devastate families across the country every day.

According to the figures there were 62 people in Swindon who died from a heart attack last year, with a further 136 in Wiltshire.

Cherry Jones, the director of public health at Swindon Borough Council, said: “Although the number of people having fatal heart attacks has fallen, it’s a sad fact that coronary heart disease, which is the main cause of a heart attack, remains the biggest cause of death nationally.

“The impact of a fatal heart attack is terrible for family and friends, and in Swindon we’re committed to supporting residents in improving their lifestyles which will help reduce their risk of developing this condition.

“Stopping smoking, enjoying a well-balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight are the best ways to lower your chances of having a heart attack.

"People aged between 40 and 74 are encouraged to attend their free NHS Health Check, which helps identify if you are particularly at risk and also suggest how you can change this.

“Limiting your consumption of high-fat foods in favour of plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, so you get your five a day, combined with doing two and a half hours of varied physical activity each week are all recommended and will also help reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes or having a stroke.”

The British Heart Foundation said that despite the improvement in survival rates more research was needed to target coronary heart disease, which remains the biggest single killer in the UK.

BHF medical director Professor Peter Weissberg, said: “Despite knowing about important risk factors, such as smoking, we still have no way to stop the furring of the arteries in coronary heart disease that is responsible for causing so many heart attacks, and this is a challenge that only research can provide the answer to.”

Cherry added that any residents who might have concerns about their health should get in touch as there was support out there to offer advice.

Cherry said: “If you want to book in for a health check or find out more about the proven one-to-one support to help you give up smoking, please call 01793 465543.

"There are lots of ideas about how to improve your diet and incorporate exercise into your daily routine at the Change 4 Life website www.nhs.uk/change4life and our Health Ambassadors can also set you on a healthier path, so call 0782 486 8437.”