Heart Disease (Hansard, 13 July 1988)

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Skelmersdale)
My Lords, evaluation of the first year of the "Look After Your Heart" campaign shows that many more people know how they can reduce the risk of' heart disease. The campaign has been aimed particularly at the lower socio-economic groups, where 41 per cent. now know about the risks of a high fat diet, 43 per cent. are aware of the risk of heart disease through smoking and 51 per cent. know that exercise can help avoid heart disease.

§ Baroness Strange
My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his, as always, courteous and informative reply. But is he aware that 150,000 people still die every year of heart failure and also as a result of the problem 25 million working days are lost'? Will he tell us how industry and commerce are helping the Government with their campaign? Is he further aware that our hearts are very precious to us and indeed vital to us all?

§ Lord Skelmersdale
My Lords, quite certainly one cannot live without them. Having said that, the reason for the campaign is the horrifyingly high incidence of heart disease leading to serious operations and ultimately to death. I can advise my noble friend that from the outset both the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress have supported the campaign. Industry, commerce and the workplace have been encouraged to join the campaign by signing the "Look After Your Heart" contract. I would only add 822 that the first stage of the campaign, which is making people aware, is the first and easiest part. Persuading people to do something about this is considerably more difficult.

§ Lord Mackie of Benshie
My Lords, is it true that the Government do not have a heart?

§ Lord Skelmersdale
My Lords, this is the most heartful Government I can remember.

§ Lord Ennals
My Lords, I warmly support the campaign. But does the Minister agree that, in view of the very serious problems of coronary heart disease referred to by the noble Baroness and the clear link between heart disease and excessive fat in our diet, it is time the Government had a clear food policy that they could commend? In this connection will they consider consulting the Parliamentary Food and Health Forum, which would be very glad to be associated with the campaign?

§ Lord Skelmersdale
My Lords, we are currently undergoing a consultation exercise which will lead to the second stage of the "Look After Your Heart" campaign. If the organisation of the noble Lord, or indeed any others, wish to put in papers to that campaign, they will be gratefully received.

§ Lord Rea
My Lords, it looks as if what I am about to say has been orchestrated, but phase two of the "Look After Your Heart" consultation document concerning the campaign which the noble Lord mentioned states in the appendix—

Noble Lords
Question!

§ Lord Rea
I wish to give a little preliminary background before I ask the question. Is the noble Lord aware that the appendix of the consultation document states: About 1 in 4 middle aged adults have serum cholesterol levels which significantly increase their risk of heart disease"! It also states that this: can he reduced through dietary advice and regulation". Is he aware that there is an extreme shortage of community dieticians who might help patients who are interested to alter their diets in the appropriate direction'? Doctors are not very well trained or normally very effective in changing people's dietary habits.

§ Lord Skelmersdale
My Lords, in recent weeks and indeed over the next five days or so we shall be discussing at length the primary health care White Paper and the possibility of training doctors, community nurses and other adjuncts to surgeries to do various things. I take the noble Lord's point. Looking at page 19 of the document to which he referred, I must correct him in one material fact. It states: Moderately elevated serum cholesterol levels can he reduced through dietary advice and regulation".

§ Lord Ferrier
My Lords, are there not three simple rules: do not eat too much, do not drink too much and do not smoke too much?

§ Lord Skelmersdale
My Lords, that is a very good working hypothesis, but I am sure that one could add to those rules.

§ The Countess of Mar
My Lords, is it not the case that the foundations for coronary heart disease are laid at a very early stage in life? Will the Minister say what advice is being given to parents and young people for avoiding heart disease later in life?

§ Lord Skelmersdale
Yes, my Lords. To the best of my knowledge research being evaluated suggests the findings that the noble Countess has referred to. In the health education authorities' advice leaflets on the subject, that is pointed out. However, so far as I know, it has not been confirmed.