'Deaths from heart attacks in UK halved in eight years'

The death rate in men fell from 78.7 deaths per 100,000 men to 39.2 deaths per 100,000 men between 2002 and 2010.

And over the same period, there was a drop from 37.3 deaths per 100,000 women 2002 to 17.7 deaths per 100,000 women in 2010, 'The Telegraph' reported.

However, despite massive drop in deaths from heart attacks, the rate in the UK remains one of the highest in Europe, the figures from the British Heart Foundation show.

Researchers say the reasons are that fewer people in UK are now smoking and preventive drugs such as blood thinners and cholesterol-lowering statins mean fewer people are suffering a heart attack in the first place.

This is combined with better treatment, in the form of operations and drugs, for those who do suffer a heart attack meaning their chances of survival have increased.

"The last decade has seen excellent progress in heart attack prevention, treatment and care which has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the number of people dying from heart disease," Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said.

"Statins are an important part of that success story. They have undoubtedly changed the face of heart disease treatment for the better and there can be little doubt that there are thousands of people alive and well today because of statins," he said.

"Whilst some people do experience irritating side effects, they are very rarely life threatening and the benefits far outweigh any risks," said Weissberg.