Heart conditions cause a fifth of all deaths in Malta every year, a statistic which underlines how the Maltese need to lead better lifestyles, the head of the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Department, Charmaine Gauci, said today.

"Just as we should not only care for our loved ones on Valentine's day, we should look after our heart all year round," she said ahead of World Heart Day, this Sunday.

She stressed the importance of prevention and explained that, while there are certain risk factors – such as genetics and age – that one cannot control, people can reduce the chances of heart disease by not smoking, eating healthily, exercising, monitoring their health and complying to the medication prescribed by doctors.

Parliamentary Secretary for Health Joe Cassar said that last year Malta had 651 deaths related to heart disease, almost 21 per cent of all deaths. The government, he said, had invested heavily in addressing heart disease by raising awareness about healthier lifestyles, encouraging people to get their blood pressure checked and promoting better eating and exercise.

All this, he said, will lead to a healthier Malta with a happier population that is more productive. There will also be less expenditure on disease.