THE number of Scotland's poorest people dying from heart disease has been slashed by more than a quarter.

However the latest health figures reveal the improvement still lags behind the population as a whole.

Statistics showed that between 2000 and 2006 there was a 27% drop in the mortality rate for heart disease among under-75s living in deprived areas.

Labour MSPs, who were in power at Holyrood at the time, claimed the decrease showed their policies for tackling health inequalities had worked.

But experts said there was no evidence to suggest the gap in health between rich and poor was getting any smaller. Death by heart disease in the general population fell by 32% in the same period.

Men in Shettleston, Glasgow, have the lowest life expectancy in the country - 63 - around 14 years less than men in the wealthiest parts of Glasgow.

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Ross Finnie said it was "good news that coronary heart disease was falling in deprived areas", but when compared to a nationwide decrease around 30%, "it's not so impressive".

The government department that compiled the figures, the Information Services Division, said there were various reasons why heart disease was killing fewer people than before.

Spokesman Adam Redpath said: "Levels of smoking are showing a consistent decline.

"If you have a heart attack you are more likely to survive because emergency services and emergency care is better and we have more effective drugs to prevent people having a heart attack in the first place."

The study shows people of all backgrounds have benefited, however the chance of dying of a heart attack before the age of 65 is still more than four times higher in the most deprived communities, compared to the most affluent ones.