TESTING THE NATION'S HEARTS CAMPAIGN

Early day motion 1895, tabled 23 March 2006 by Lord Lansley (Conservative). Signed by 65 members.

That this House is concerned that cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the main cause of death in the UK, killing more people than cancer and accounting for four out of 10 of all deaths; notes that raised cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease and that raised blood pressure is a major risk factor in strokes; further notes that the cost to the NHS in treating high cholesterol levels through lipid regulating drugs was £769 million in 2004 and that stroke cost the NHS over £2.8 billion in 2005; welcomes the efforts of HEART UK in raising awareness that everyone can benefit from knowing what they can do to reduce the risk of CVD; supports the charity's forthcoming Testing the Nation's Hearts campaign to undertake a major cholesterol and blood pressure testing and education programme across the UK; and calls on the Government to support this campaign to raise awareness of the risks of unhealthy levels of cholesterol and blood pressure among the general population together with the importance of primary prevention.

Signatures by party: Labour 26, Conservative 17, Liberal Democrat 12, DUP 6, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.