A new centre dedicated to trying to help reduce heart disease on the Island was officially opened this morning.The Cardiac Outreach, Renewal and Educational Centre (CORE) was opened by Health Minister Zane DeSilva and Bermuda Heart Foundation executive director Simone Barton.Governor Sir Richard Gozney attended the ribbon-cutting at the facility in Chancery Lane, Hamilton, along with Argus Group CEO Gerald Simons and a supporting team from New York Presbyterian Hospital.In a short speech Mr DeSilva said: “It gives me great pleasure to be here today to be part of the opening of CORE, Bermuda's first cardiac prevention and rehabilitation centre, which is dedicated to reducing the incidence of heart-related deaths on our Island.”He noted that heart disease is the leading cause of death in Bermuda.“Statistics indicate that 47 percent of all deaths in 2007 were directly related to cardiovascular disease. Incredibly, that's almost half of all our deaths on our Island.”The new centre, he said, will serve people predisposed to heart problems, such as those who are diabetic, pre-diabetic, obese, or who suffer from hyptertension.“The Centre will provide tailor-made programmes to support and educate at-risk individuals who are referred by their physicians. This will include proper fitness, health eating and cardiac awareness.”Following the opening ceremony, Mr DeSilva and Sir Richard were taken on a tour of the new CORE facility.Useful website: www.mybermudaheart.bm