The number of heart attacks in the UK is 50,000 higher than previously thought, according to figures from the British Heart Foundation.

The charity said numbers are 35% higher than estimates have suggested, with around 175,000 heart attacks thought to take place each year.

The figures translate to one person having a heart attack every three minutes, the charity said.

Its chief executive, Simon Gillespie, said their analysis was "a stark reminder" of the work that needs to be done around awareness, research and prevention.

"We now know there are 50,000 more heart attacks happening across the UK than previously thought.

"The revised figure is a stark reminder of the vital work still needed if we're to stop people from suddenly losing a parent, grandparent, partner or sibling to a heart attack.

"The world class research we're funding is helping improve diagnosis and treatment of heart attacks, and we're working to prevent them from happening in the first place. With the support of the public we want to increase our investment in this research, which will yield life-saving medical advances."