LONDON, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- The number of deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD) reaches around four million across Europe every year, with more than 150,000 in Britain, according to a study published Monday by the University of Oxford.
Despite the deaths, the study led by Oxford researchers indicates that CVD is no longer the main cause of death in several countries in Europe. These countries include Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Britain.
In Britain, coronary heart disease leads to nearly 70,000 deaths each year. British Heart Foundation (BHF), which funded the new study, urges more research to improve diagnosis and treatment of heart and circulatory conditions.
"This study is a reminder of the tremendous progress that has been made in fighting heart disease in the UK and across Western Europe," said Dr Mike Knapton, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation.
The study has been published in the European Heart Journal.
