Uk Heart Disease Statistics
United Kingdom: Facts

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Uk Heart Disease Statistics

Contents

• Introduction
• Heart Disease Statistics
• Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) Stats
• Stroke Statistics
• Angina Statistics

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Heart Disease in Women

According to the new edition of the Coronary Heart Disease Statistics (2010) published by the British Heart Foundation, deaths as a result of coronary heart disease (CHD) continue to fall. This is a result of increased better public understanding of the risk factors involved (diet, exercise, drinking and smoking) and continued improvement in treatment availability. However, there is still much work to be done because heart disease is still the UK's number one killer. Health experts continue to worry about the rising obesity rates which they fear may halt the downward trend. The following is a list of the UK’s most recent heart disease statistics:

Heart Disease Statistics

Also known as cardiovascular disease (CVD), heart disease is the main cause of death in the UK. It accounts for:

• 180,000 British deaths (2009) or 1 in 3 of all deaths.
• Heart disease caused 1 in 5 deaths of men in the UK and 1 in 8 of women.
• In 2007/2008 9,000 more people died of CVD in the winter months compared to the summer months.
• UK CVD death rates are high compared to other Western European countries. In 2003 only Germany and Ireland had a higher rate.
• Nearly 266 million prescriptions are written in the UK in 2008 for CVD.
• Nearly half (46 percent) of all heart disease deaths are a result of coronary heart disease (CHD).
• Nearly one third (23 percent) of all heart disease deaths result from stroke. See Stroke in Women.
• 25,000 people undergo heart bypass surgery every year in the UK.

Other Interesting Figures:

• More than 1/3 of UK men and nearly 1/3 of women regularly drink more than the daily recommended level of alcohol intake.
• Men and women of a higher social class are more likely to drink more than those of a lower social class.
• More than 25 percent of English adults are obese.

See Risk factors for heart disease and American heart disease statistics.

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) Stats

Coronary heart disease is a collective term to describe diseases which cause constriction of the coronary arteries. The 2 most common side effects of CHD are heart attacks and angina attacks. The most common type of CHD is coronary artery disease (CAD), also known as atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries. It frequently occurs in people with high diets in cholesterol, saturated fats and refined carbs. Other risk factors include diabetes, smoking and hypertension.

• Death rates due to CHD are highest in Scotland and Northern England and lowest in the South of England.
• CHD accounted for 18 percent of all male deaths in 2008.
• And it accounted for 13 percent of all female deaths in 2008.
• Lowest rates of CHD were recorded in London (2.2 percent) and highest in Western Isles of Scotland (6 percent).
• In 2006 1.3 percent of English women aged 45-54 had CHD this increased to 3.5 percent in the 55-64 age group, 10 percent (65-74) and 19.3 percent (75+).
• In 2006 3.6 percent of English men aged 45-54 had CHD, this increased to 11 percent in the 55-64 age group, 20.8 percent (65-74) and 28.6 percent (75+).

Heart Attacks Statistics

In general, the incidence of myocardial infarction (heart attack) increases with age. The incidence is higher in men than women but differentiation reduces with age.

• 124,000 heart attacks every year in the UK.
• 62,000 English men have a heart attack every year compared to 39,000 English women.
• 8,000 Scottish men have a heart attack every year compared to 5,000 Scottish women.

Interesting: Read about the 24 Hour Holter Monitor Test. Know The Risks.

Stroke Statistics

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is restricted. It can vary in severity from a brief weakness to tingling in the limbs to paralysis, coma and death.

• Stroke accounted for 7 percent of all male deaths and 8 percent of all female deaths in the UK in 2008.
• 57,000 English men have a stroke every year compared to 68,000 English women.
• 6,500 Scottish men have a stroke every year compared to 8,000 Scottish women.
• In 2006 17 percent of men and 25 percent of women admitted to hospital for stroke, died.

A recent Netherlands study of 250 patients demonstrated that the risks of dying of a stroke due to a brain aneurysm were increased by nose blowing, exercise and coffee. 10 percent of aneurysms were triggered by coffee, 8 percent by physical activity, 5 percent by nose blowing, 4 percent by sex and 3.5 percent by drinking cola.

Angina Health Statistics

Angina (pectoris) is considered a symptom of CHD and is characterized by a tightness or heaviness in the center of the chest which can spread of the arms, neck, face, jaw, arms, stomach or back. An angina attack occurs when there is some sort of restriction in the arteries which blocks blood flow to the heart. It is most likely to be set off with exercise and usually lasts a few minutes. It disappears again with rest.

• It is estimated that 1.4 million people in England currently have angina.
• The General Practice Research Database (GPRD) suggests that the incidence of angina is higher in Scotland than in England, for both men and women.
• There are an estimated 28,000 new cases of angina every year in the UK.
• UK incidence rate in men was 75 percent higher than in women.
• In 2006 0.6 percent of UK women aged 45-54 had angina this increased to 2 percent in the 55-64 age group, 6 percent (65-74) and 12 percent (75+).
• In 2006 1 percent of UK men aged 45-54 had angina, this increased to 4 percent in the 55-64 age group, 10 percent (65-74) and 16.8 percent (75+).

Back To Homepage: Womens Health Advice

WOMENS HEALTH ADVICE: ABOUT HEART DISEASE IN WOMEN
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