HEALTH leaders in Preston are to tackle one of the biggest killers in the town - heart disease.

North West Lancashire Health Authority acted after figures revealed 500 people die in the area each year and thousands more are incapacitated prematurely following heart attacks.

For the next 12 months, the Preston Primary Care Group (PCG) will look at ways to combat heart disease and encourage people to lead a more healthy lifestyle.

The group will look at ways of tackling habits linked to heart disease - smoking, fatty diets and lack of exercise.

GP practices in Preston have reviewed local services to identify areas for development, such as early detection of ischaemic heart disease (where blood flow is obstructed), assessment and investigation.

Hypertension management in the elderly will be examined by doctors and the PCG will develop services to help people stop smoking, developing better links with leisure services departments to encourage patients to indulge in regular exercise.

Dr Shelagh Pavey, chair of Preston PCG, said: "We have a wealth of individuals and organisations in Preston experienced in providing services for those people at risk of or who have ischaemic heart disease.

"Working collaboratively with those individuals and organisations will be key to ensuring effective healthcare development and provision for the future."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.