In Hawke's Bay ischaemic heart disease (heart attacks) account for about 20 per cent of all avoidable deaths.
Heart attacks are by far the top cause across all ethnic groups across the region and the Heart Foundation is calling for people to be more alert to the signs of an attack.
On the national front about 6000 people a year die from heart attacks - one every 90 minutes.
This month is Heart Attack Awareness Month and the foundation is calling on people to put aside their concerns about "wasting time" and dial 111 immediately if they suspect they or another person is suffering an attack.
In a recent survey of Kiwis over 45 it was found that concern about "wasting other people's time" was listed by more than half the respondents as the number one reason to delay calling for 111 help.