Ian Laidlaw had a quadruple heart bypass in 1992 and says he owes the good health he has enjoyed since, to the exercise discipline he received during the rehabilitation which followed his operation.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) say people with angina and heart failure in Scotland could be put at risk because they are not being offered vital cardiac rehabilitation and they asked Ian to deliver their stark message to 20
MSPs at an event jointly organised by the charities

In a one-to-one discussion with MSP Ross Finnie, Ian explained how his own experience had spurred him to support the call by the heart organisations for every suitable heart patient to have access to cardiac rehabilitation.

He told the Herald: "Just three per cent of people with angina and less than one per cent of heart failure sufferers, are being offered this support, meaning they are more likely to suffer further problems that could put them in hospital, or even kill them.

"In October 1991, I had a heart attack while decorating a ceiling. I never felt very well afterwards and the upshot was a quadruple bypass in April 1992 — but there was no sitting around thereafter. I was encouraged by the rehabilitation nurse to be on my feet within days and soon started attending the then newly set-up cardiac rehabilitation classes in Jordanhill College, which I still attend three times a week.

"I would, without hesitation, claim that the physios turn your life around after a major heart event and the camaraderie dispels any depression and gives you a zest for life."

Ben McKendrick, of BHF Scotland, said: "Cardiac rehab saves lives, but there is an unacceptable gulf between the levels of support offered to patients with different heart conditions."

David Clark, of CHSS, added: "Cardiac rehab should be fully recognised as being central to the treatment and care of all heart patients who might benefit from it"

He added that his organisation would like to see every patient who is suitable having access to a high quality cardiac rehab programme by the end of 2010.