Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke was joined by the Mayor of Carrickfergus, Alderman Patricia McKinney, to launch locally a drive to educate younger people about the illness, which kills an average of nine people per day in the province.

Have a Heart Week, which starts on Monday will see the publication of a study on public knowledge of heart disease alongside efforts to increase awareness and a fundraising drive.

NICHS area appeals co-ordinator Valerie Saunders explained: “Some of the risks for heart disease are already being laid down during the teenage years, and young people can’t leave it until middle age before changing their lifestyles.”

Chief executive Andrew Dougal added that young people must be educated about early warning signs as well as how they can reduce their risk of heart disease.

“We are concerned that people in their 40s and 50s are dying without warning from their first heart attack. I personally know of two men in that age range who lost their lives last year,” he said.

“People need to acquaint themselves with the warning signs and risk factors. Research in Scotland has shown that people are affected by narrowing of the arteries as early as the teenage years.

“With the prevalence of junk food and lack of regular exercise, it’s likely that the same heart disease ‘time bomb’ is building up here as well. The only way to avoid it is improved knowledge, a better diet and more exercise.”

Information on heard disease can be found at www.nichsa.com or requested by telephoning 08457 697299.