Click here for video Phase 1: 2000 - 04 The first phase of Have a Heart Paisley’s work had a population-wide approach. All ages were targeted with a wide variety of initiatives focussed on improving heart health. Thousands of local people were engaged in these activities, which have helped make progress in the fight against heart disease in Paisley. These included: Over 140 local community projects, involving an estimated 6000 Paisley people, which tackled the three main causes of heart disease – smoking, unhealthy eating and lack of exercise. The Healthercise initiative, which introduced over 1000 local people to the benefits of exercise through a free fitness programme Call It Quits – a free, local support service for anyone wishing to stop smoking The Paisley Heart Award Scheme, which has seen over 900 Buddies participate in learning about issues surrounding heart disease Have a Heart Paisley roadshows and events where, in addition to receiving advice on healthy lifestyles, thousands of local people have received blood pressure checks The Health at Heart Centre at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, where the number of heart patients accessing the cardiac rehabilitation service has doubled, thanks to the innovative menu-based programme. Health Promoting Schools - every pre-5, primary and secondary school in Paisley has been targeted with health activities. Further details of these, and more activities, are included in this section which relates to Phase 1 of Have a Heart Paisley (Oct 2000 - Sept 2004). It will obviously be some time before the effect of this work will be seen in Paisley’s rate of heart disease. What is already evident, however, is the impact of these and other Have a Heart Paisley activities on the lives of individuals and families throughout the town. Click to find out “What Paisley is saying” Future activities will have a more specific focus, targeting those most at risk of developing heart disease and those who have already been diagnosed with heart problems. Through this approach, it is hoped to achieve a measurable change in the heart health of the people of Paisley in a relatively short time period.