East Lancashire's serial killer - heart disease

12:01am Friday 18th April 2008

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A MOCK hunt for a serial killer will be staged to shock people into leading a healthier lifestyle.

Hard-hitting images of a child attending a father's funeral and graphic surgery procedures are also being used to target East Lancashire's biggest "serial" killer - coronary heart disease.

The 'Could it be You?' campaign is the second phase of East Lancashire PCT's bid to save 'a million years of life' by 2011 and stop people dying early.

Every 12 hours someone in East Lancashire dies from heart disease and five people die from heart attacks every week.

A fake police incident unit will be set up in Burnley, Rossendale, Nelson, Hyndburn, Clitheroe, and Barnoldswick during May to warn people about the factors that can lead to heart disease, including smoking, high blood pressure, physical inactivity and obesity. Risks also increase with age.

A website, free phoneline and text number are also providing free advice on how people can look after their hearts, stay healthy and live longer.

PCT chair, Kathy Reade, said: "Coronary heart disease continues to be the largest single cause of death among our population, with 14 people each week dying from heart disease.

"There is a higher level of CHD deaths here than in the rest of England and Wales.

"We want to stop people dying from heart attacks and strokes by taking steps to decrease the risk.

"Most people know what they should be doing to live healthier lives but sometimes it takes shock tactics to make them take stock and take responsibility for their own good health."

Advertising agency director, Simon Melville, said: "Our local research told us that people needed shocking imagery to remind them of the high incidence of heart disease and of its potential consequences for their loved ones, particularly children.

"If this campaign brings it home to people that they can take responsibility for their own lifestyle, with positive results for their health, then it will be worth it."

The heart disease campaign follows hard on the heels of the Know When to say When' alcohol awareness initiative which launched at the beginning of April.

The aspiration to save a million years of life' means that from 2011, future generations in East Lancashire will live, on average, live three years longer.

From Monday further advice and information is available from the Heart Line 08450 265000, at www.coulditbeyou.eastlancspct.nhs.uk or by texting CUDITBU to 60033.