Scotland's Hearts Need More: A manifesto for the future of heart disease care
Over the past six decades, huge strides have been made in improving outcomes for people living with cardiovascular disease in Scotland. However, with increasing ill health and unprecedented pressure on cardiology services, more than ever, Scotland’s Hearts Need More. More focus, more investment, and more support.
Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death and ill health in Scotland
An estimated 730,000 people, 1 in every 7 people, are living with cardiovascular disease in Scotland today. Whether a person is living with cardiovascular disease themselves, or their partner, family member, or close friend is living with a condition, so many lives in Scotland are affected.
People affected by heart disease are facing longer waits for diagnosis and treatment. Without timely access to cardiology diagnostic services and outpatient appointments or services, patients are beginning treatment with more advanced disease, without key diagnostic information, or even experiencing acute events like heart attacks or strokes while waiting to be seen.
That’s why, ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections in May 2026, we have been consulting with clinicians and people affected by heart disease to develop a set of priority areas for the continued improvement of heart disease care.
We call on all political parties to join us in committing to the BHF’s bold ambition to see premature deaths from cardiovascular disease fall by 25% by 2035 (deaths under the age of 75), and to commit to a renewed plan to tackle cardiovascular disease in Scotland to achieve this vision.
Read the Scotland's Hearts Need More report
Read the Scotland's Hearts Need More briefing
Taken to heart: Inequalities in heart disease in Scotland
Earlier this year, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) published the findings of analysis of inequalities in CVD in Scotland, which was commissioned by the BHF. Using data from the Primary Care Intelligence Service, IPPR analysed the prevalence of cardiovascular disease across Scotland.
They found that for both coronary heart disease (CHD) and heart failure, diagnosed prevalence is higher in the most deprived areas.
British Heart Foundation Scotland Lived Experience Panel: Priorities for the 2026 Holyrood Election Manifestos
As part of the development of this manifesto, BHF Scotland held focus groups with those affected by cardiovascular disease. The participants were gathered from the BHF Scotland Liver Experience Panel, which is run by the Diffley Partnership, as well as Scotland-based members of the BHF’s UK-wide Lived Experience Advisory Forum.
The views expressed by the participants are discussed within the manifesto report, but a full report on the views expressed by participants can be found below.