By Pamela McGowan Health reporter

Last updated 10:54, Saturday, 19 July 2008

West Cumbria is facing a health timebomb, with cholesterol rates in both Copeland and Allerdale now among the highest in the country.

New research links pockets of high cholesterol with traditionally working class areas, which also have high levels of poverty and deprivation.

Copeland is listed in the top 10 worst affected wards in England, with Allerdale also deemed as high risk.

It has prompted warnings about the state of health across west Cumbria, where high levels of heart disease, diabetes and other chronic illnesses are also being recorded.

Fayyaz Chaudhri, a senior GP in Maryport, says it is largely linked to poor eating and drinking habits in industrial towns and villages.

He is now calling on west Cumbrians to sit up and take notice because many of these illnesses can be prevented.

“We need to try and get the message across that high cholesterol is related to diet, alcohol and smoking.

“A lot of people round here do drink very heavily and I think that’s pushing up the levels. It can be lowered by improving diet, reducing alcohol and if necessary using cholesterol-reducing drugs,” explained Dr Chaudhri.

The latest study was by Dr Foster Research, which carries out specialist health research. It is the first time expected high and low cholesterol has been analysed by local authority area.

Dr Chaudhri, lead GP on the Allerdale locality group, said it is just one of the major lifestyle-related health problems in west Cumbria.

For example in Maryport, where he practices, he said more than half of the 8,231 patients over the age of 35 are on the long term disease register.

This includes 2,067 with high blood pressure, 730 with heart disease, 723 with kidney disease, 702 with diabetes, 486 with thyroid problems and 375 with chronic lung disease.

Dr Chaudhri said many of these can be prevented or improved simply by adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle.

“It’s simple. People need to eat more fruit and vegetables and less processed food. Smoking is also a big factor and the two things together can really accelerate the clogging up of arteries.”

He also disputes the argument that deprivation leads to poor diet, saying you can still eat healthily on a tight budget if you shop sensibly.

“I want people who don’t have a lot to spend to realise that they don’t need to buy rubbish.

“I’ll challenge any individual family that wants to eat healthier. You don’t have to spend a fortune,” he added.

Dr Chaudhri believes more needs to be done both socially and politically to tackle growing obesity levels and other lifestyle issues.

This includes doing more to educate all age groups and raise awareness about how to prevent chronic health problems.

He also believes the Government should think seriously about subsidising healthier foods and taxing junk food.