Heart-related illnesses have hit record highs in Northern Ireland, the British Heart Foundation has warned.

New statistics released by the charity show that since 2020, cases of heart failure are up 12%, atrial fibrillation has risen by 14%, and diabetes, which raises the risk of heart disease, is up 10%.

In 2023, Northern Ireland recorded its highest number of deaths from heart and circulatory diseases since 2012, with 4,227 fatalities.

Of these, 1,133 were people under 75, including 500 working-age adults. This averages to around 10 working-age deaths each week.

The British Heart Foundation has warned that obesity remains a significant issue in the north, with about 28% of adults, classed as obese.

The charity highlighted that waiting lists for heart surgery and treatment have grown. At the end of last year, nearly 30% more people were on the waiting lists compared to 2019.

The charity also says the decline in heart health has several causes, including unhealthy lifestyles, growing health inequalities, the impact of Covid-19, pressure on the NHS, and “a lack of meaningful, co-ordinated action” to address leading causes such as obesity.

Today, the charity launched a new strategy to these issues.

It says investing in advanced research like artificial intelligence, data science, and genomics is needed to improve prevention and treatment, save lives, and ease pressure on the health service.

Fearghal McKinney, Head of BHF Northern Ireland, said that although NI is at a “tipping point in cardiovascular health”, the launch of the new strategy “can turn this tide”.

He said: “By driving a research revolution, we can reverse this worrying trend and save and improve more lives than ever before.

“The BHF’s new strategy will be key to this, as we aim to save many more families the heartbreak of losing loved ones far too soon.”

Fearghal McKinney: Head of British Heart Foundation NI, Fearghal McKinney, launches BHF’s new strategy, which calls for further investment in cardiovascular research to stop heart disease, save more lives and support everyone with heart disease to live a longer, healthier life.Fearghal McKinney: Head of British Heart Foundation NI

The BHF spokesperson also added that the charity will “continue to campaign for the Northern Ireland Executive to act in the best interests of the country’s heart health.”

Professor Bryan Williams, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the BHF, said that the use of technology in the new strategy is key to “transforming” heart health.

“Research-driven innovation in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease has been one of the great success stories of modern medicine.

“However, it remains one of the biggest yet most preventable causes of premature death and ill health.

“Reimagining how we prevent and treat heart disease and stroke is key to transforming the nation’s health.

“By 2035, the charity wants the UK to prevent 125,000 heart attacks and strokes, reduce early deaths from cardiovascular disease by 25 per cent, and reduce the number of years lost to heart-related ill health by 25 per cent by 2035.”