CHARITIES have welcomed plans to help drive down the number of people dying from heart disease and stroke.

Outcomes for patients have been improving, with death rates for coronary heart disease falling by more than 43% between 2003 and 2013. Stroke cases have also decreased by 21% over the past ten years, with mortality rates falling 45% for men and 39% for women.

The Scottish Government has published two action plans backed by more than £1million of funding to further reduce deaths.

Public health minister Michael Matheson said: "We are targeting our efforts on building on the progress made."