Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch attended a Parliamentary event on 29th January to back the British Heart Foundation and its ‘Ramp up the Red’ campaign.

For over 50 years, the British Heart Foundation has pioneered research on heart and circulatory conditions. 2014’s “Ramp up the Red” initiative reflects the charity’s vision of a world where people don’t die prematurely from heart disease by encouraging fundraising events across the country on 7th February.

Commenting on this, Dave said: “As deputy convener for the Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Heart Disease and Stroke and as someone who has experienced heart surgery himself, I am proud to be able to support the work of the British Heart Association and their ‘Ramp up the Red’ campaign this February.

“Coronary heart disease is Scotland’s single biggest killer, with nearly 1 in 6 men and 1 in 10 women in the UK dying from the disease. The disease kills 200 people daily in the UK and the death rate is highest in Scotland.

“The prevalence of heart disease in the United Kingdom means that everyone will have a friend, colleague, or family member who has been affected by it in some way. It is crucial that we raise funds to help organizations such as the British Heart Foundation and its ‘fight for every heartbeat’ by contributing to medical scientific research.

“Knowing the risk factors for cardiovascular disease and getting the right support from doctors are crucial steps in the prevention of heart related illnesses. Being informed of the risk factors leads to early detection and treatment, which are key to reducing the number of heart related illnesses and deaths.”