Alarming figures reveal increase in heart-related deaths across the East
This has led to a 145% increase in the NHS cardiovascular waiting list across the region
The UK has entered the worst start to a decade for heart health in more than 50 years, according to new analysis from the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
The data shows a sharp rise in cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths among working-age adults and increasing diagnoses of serious heart-related conditions.
The BHF has launched a new strategy in response, calling for greater investment in cutting-edge medical research to prevent, treat, and potentially cure heart diseases.
Emily McGrath, Senior Cardiac Nurse at the BHF, and based in Leighton Buzzard, said: "We’re now seeing an average of 420 deaths a week in working-age UK adults under the age of 65 from cardiovascular disease."
According to BHF data, the East of England has experienced some of the most significant increases, with deaths in working-age adults from heart and circulatory diseases rising by 22% from 1,481 in 2019 to 1,813 in 2023.
Heart failure diagnoses rose by 21% to 70,289, while atrial fibrillation cases increased by 11% to 159,451.
Diabetes diagnoses rose by 15% to 423,497.
As a result of increased cases, the region saw a 145% rise in the NHS cardiovascular waiting list—the largest rise of any English region—up to 60,252 from 24,611 in 2020.
Ms McGrath said: "It’s an example of , as we're all very well aware, how much pressure the NHS is under. I think that’s just something that we’re seeing everywhere."
The BHF believes several factors are contributing to this trend, including NHS backlogs following the COVID-19 pandemic and wider socioeconomic challenges.
Some of the suspected socioeconomic challenges are health inequalities, people struggling to access things that are good for their heart health, thought to be driven by poverty or access to services.
To tackle the crisis, the BHF is focusing on advanced research, including a project at the University of Oxford that uses artificial intelligence to predict heart attack risk up to 10 years in advance.
The charity is calling for further government support and investment to expand its work.