Some of the money will go on new equipment and more staff

Malcolm Chisholm said the cash will be spent on new equipment, additional staff and expanding services.

The minister said that heart disease and stroke are two of the major causes of ill health in Scotland.

Projects to benefit from the extra cash include a "rapid access" chest pain assessment programme in the Highlands.

A new occupational therapist service in the Forth Valley health area will also be given some of the funds, as will a programme in Glasgow which offers psychological support to stroke patients.

'Poor diet'

Mr Chisholm said: "Treatment of both heart disease and stroke is a top priority for the Scottish Executive."

"The next few months should see hospitals receiving new equipment, increasing capacity, taking on additional staff and making improvements to the care of heart disease and stroke patients in their areas.

"While these projects should see improvements in care across the country, there is much more we can do to reduce the impact of both conditions.

"Poor diet, lack of physical activity and smoking in particular are all contributory factors and it is important that we all take responsibility for our own health."

Under a strategy launched two years ago, �6.5m has already been allocated to NHS boards for various heart and stroke projects.