Deaths from heart disease in people under 65 will virtually disappear within 10 years in England, government experts predicted on Wednesday.

Government Response: Department of Health

Health secretary John Reid said: "Seven years ago, cardiac services were in a terrible state. Patients could wait years for diagnosis and over two years for surgery.

"Few people suffering a heart attack were getting the right treatment at the right time and those needing life-saving drugs did so through good fortune rather than a good system.

"Today’s report shows that, thanks to the hard work of NHS staff, we’re making real progress in delivering better cardiac services.  Fewer people are dying and emergency care is vastly improved."

Forum Response: Cardiac Risk in the Young

Alison Cox, founder and chief executive, told ePolitix.com: "This is good news.  Presumably the improvements suggested will expedite the setting up of a committee chaired by Sir Roger Boyle that was agreed to address the gap in  provision of services identified in Dari Taylor's Cardiac Risk in the Young (Screening) Bill, heard in the House of Commons as a private member's bill on March 10. This committee to include experts from Cardiac Risk in the Young.

"If the improved recommendations for screening in tackling the issue of sudden cardiac death are implemented it will undoubtedly save many young lives unnecessarily lost to sudden death syndrome - currently believed to be up to eight lives a week in the UK."