Major decrease in coronary deaths

Coronary heart disease deaths among men and women under 75 have been reduced by 71% over the last 20 years, new British Heart Foundation statistics indicate.

But local charity Chest Heart and Stroke says many older people are still encountering heart failure.

Chief Executive Andrew Dougal says more community support services should be made available across Northern Ireland.

"If people aren't dying young of heart disease they will often encounter in later life heart failure," he said.

"It is important that we have a heart failure service in the community in every part of Northern Ireland.

"That is not the case currently and we need resources to ensure that there are proper services in the community to support those people living with heart disease."

Thursday marks the British Heart Foundation's Chest Pain Awareness Day.