HEART UK Calls on MPs to Support National Cholesterol Week

Aug. 30, 2012 - PRLog -- HEART UK has called on MPs to support National Cholesterol Week ahead of an awareness-raising event to be held in Westminster on September 4.

HEART UK is planning to meet with a number of MPs at Portcullis House next Tuesday to discuss National Cholesterol Week, which takes place from 17-23 September, and explain their aims to raise funds and awareness in the battle to beat the UK’s biggest killer, heart disease.

The theme of this year’s National Cholesterol Week is Hearty Tea Parties, which will give the public the opportunity to raise funds by staging a get-together with family or friends which features heart-healthy food and drink.

Justin Tomlinson MP, who is sponsoring the event and encouraging people to hold Hearty Tea Parties, said: “We all know how important it is to eat well and HEART UK’s National Cholesterol Week provides the perfect opportunity to raise money for this worthwhile cause and remind us of the benefits of eating more healthily. I sincerely hope people take part in National Cholesterol Week and have some fun along the way.”

Healthy eating is a key element of HEART UK’s National Cholesterol Week campaign with a range of celebrity chefs including Jean-Christophe Novelli, Antony Worrall Thompson, Gino D'Acampo and Cyrus Todiwala providing recipes for cholesterol-lowering dishes, which can be seen here .

HEART UK Chief Executive Jules Payne said: “I would like to thank Justin Tomlinson and all the MPs who are attending next week for supporting National Cholesterol Week and encouraging their constituents to get involved.

“Cholesterol is a silent killer that can affect young and old alike. National Cholesterol Week gives us the opportunity to do even more to help the thousands of people across the UK with raised cholesterol and associated heart conditions.”
To register for a Hearty Tea Party today and help us help others whilst enjoying a cuppa with friends, please email development@heartuk.org.uk, call HEART UK on 01628 777 046 or visit http://heartuk.org.uk/get-involved/fundraising/events-cha...

NOTES TO EDITORS

About HEART UK
HEART UK was formed in 2002 following a merger of The Family Heart Association (FHA) and the British Hyperlipidaemia Association (BHA).

HEART UK - The Cholesterol Charity - promotes healthy hearts and better lives by:
•   helping and supporting individuals, families and health professionals to understand and control cholesterol conditions and other heart risks
•   promoting education and research to improve identification, prevention, treatment and care of cholesterol and lipid conditions
•   working in partnership with government, the NHS, industry and other charities
•   promoting best practice in addressing inherited and non-inherited cholesterol conditions

Two thirds of adults in the UK have raised cholesterol. Over 120,000 people in Britain have a form of inherited high cholesterol called Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) which can cause premature death as those as young as 30 – and only 15-20% of those with the condition are known.

HEART UK gratefully acknowledges an unrestricted grant from Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, which has helped the charity host this event. Aegerion recently established its European Hub and UK Office at Stockley Park, near Heathrow.

People wishing to find out more about FH
Please contact: HEART UK helpline - 0845 450 5988 or visit www.heartuk.org.uk

For media inquiries please contact:
David Alexander, Calacus PR on 07802-412424 or david.alexander@calacus.com
Kourtney Shaw, Calacus PR on 07731-769269 or kourtney.shaw@calacus.com
Sarah O’Brien, Calacus PR on 07780-333518 or sarah.obrien@calacus.com