Thousands of people are set to benefit from an innovative new heart procedure to prevent strokes in younger people.
The new treatment, unveiled today as part of the NHS Long Term Plan, tackles ‘hole in the heart’.
Hole in the heart – or Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) – is a common condition which can trigger strokes.
Thousands of people living with PFO in England live in fear of another stroke and this potentially lifesaving procedure helps remove the risk by closing the hole, giving people with the condition peace of mind about future health risks.
The new measure, to be available across the country, is expected to benefit up to 1,500 patients a year.
Tackling major killer conditions such as stroke and heart attacks is a major part of the NHS Long Term Plan published earlier this year.