Almost 30% of deaths from heart disease in England occur in diabetes patients, report finds
A Diabetes UK report reveals that nearly a third (29%) of cardiovascular disease deaths in England occur in people with diabetes, The Guardian reported. In 2022, out of 144,590 cardiovascular deaths, those with diabetes accounted for this significant proportion, up from 15% in 2009 when there were 147,820 deaths. This sharp increase highlights the growing impact of diabetes on heart health over recent decades.
The UK currently spends £10.7 billion annually on diabetes care, a figure projected to rise to £18 billion by 2035. Despite this substantial investment, only 61.3% of people with diabetes received all the recommended care processes in 2023-24, with over a third missing at least one essential check. There are an estimated 5.8 million people living with diabetes across the UK, with about 90% diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
The report urges the government to embed diabetes care within its upcoming 10-year health plan, emphasizing the need for clear targets and metrics to reduce cardiovascular deaths and disability by a quarter. Colette Marshall, CEO of Diabetes UK, said diabetes leads to 812 strokes, 568 heart attacks, and 2,909 cases of heart failure each week in England alone.
Experts like Professor Kamlesh Khunti stress that controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose can significantly reduce complications. However, one in three people with diabetes still do not receive these basic care processes. They call for urgent government action to improve prevention and treatment to save lives.
