20,000 new cases of heart disease occur each year
10,000 people died of coronary heart disease last year
These statistics show a fall of almost 30 per cent since 1996
The implementation of our SIGN guidelines on the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease contributed to this decrease.
Expert opinion - “The result will be thousands of deaths avoided and tens of thousands of people whose lives will not be blighted by heart attacks, angina, heart failure, heart rhythm disorders and other complications that impair quality of life.”
Professor Keith Fox, Chair of the Cardiovascular Disease Implementation Group - image
Over 70,000 people are living with stroke and its consequences, and each year there will be approximately 15,000 new diagnoses of stroke. Approximately 20% of stroke patients die within 30 days, so it is vital that they quickly receive the best care possible.
Dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing) is a potentially serious complication of stroke that affects as many as 45% of all stroke patients.
Our scoping exercise looked at the evidence available for treating dysphagia and how it is being used. We found that there is a considerable amount of evidence and guidance already available, but that it is not being translated into practice.
Ankle-foot orthosis is an appliance that assists movement of the ankle and foot after stroke. We are collaborating with Strathclyde University to share ideas and innovations, and identify a programme for practice development and education.
Further reading
More about Improving Heart Disease Care
Access SIGN’s heart and stroke related guidelines
Hard to Swallow: Dysphagia following acute stroke
One step at a time: The use of ankle foot orthoses after stroke