CVD STATISTICS BHF UK FACTSHEET

ABOUT THE BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION (BHF)

Our mission is to win the fight against heart and circulatory disease.
Our vision is a world in which people do not die prematurely or suffer from heart and circulatory disease.

For over 50 years weve pioneered research that has transformed the lives of millions of people living with heart disease.
We are the biggest independent funder of cardiovascular research in the UK.
Our work has been central to the discoveries of vital treatments that are leading the fight against heart disease.

But heart and circulatory disease still kills more than one in four people in the UK, stealing them away from their
families and loved ones. From babies born with life-threatening heart problems, to the many mums, dads and
grandparents who survive a heart attack or endure their daily battles with heart failure.

BHF HEART STATISTICS

Statistics are very important to the BHF. They give our staff, volunteers and supporters a sense of the scale of heart and
circulatory diseases burden and the challenges we face as we fight for every heartbeat. We compile the most
comprehensive UK statistics on the effects, prevention, treatment, costs and causes of heart disease in the UK.
bhf.org.uk/statistics
For examples of how we are making a difference, look for the sections throughout this
factsheet.

QUICK LINKS Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) CVD Cost - Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) - Heart Attack - Heart Failure - Atrial
Fibrillation - Stroke - Cardiac Arrest - Congenital - Inherited - NCDs - Risk Factors - References - About Us - About REF
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD; Heart and Circulatory Disease)
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an umbrella term that describes all diseases of the heart and circulation. It includes everything
from conditions that are diagnosed at birth, or inherited, to developed conditions such as coronary heart disease, atrial
fibrillation, heart failure, and stroke.

Cardiovascular (heart and circulatory) disease causes more than a

quarter (26 per cent) of all deaths in the UK; thats nearly 160,000
deaths each year an average of 435 people each day or one death
every three minutes.
Around 42,000 people under the age of 75 in the UK die from CVD
each year.
Since the BHF was established the annual number of deaths from
CVD in the UK has fallen by half.
In 1961, more than half of all deaths in the UK were attributed to
CVD (320,000 CVD deaths).
Since 1961 the UK death rate from CVD has declined by more than
three quarters. Death rates have fallen more quickly than the actual
number of deaths because people in this country are now living
longer lives.

DEATHS FROM CVD AND NUMBERS LIVING WITH CVD

Nation Number of People Dying from Number of People Under 75 Years Estimated Number of
CVD (Latest Year) Old Dying from CVD (Latest Year) People Living with CVD

England (2015) 129,147 33,662 5.9 million

Scotland (2015) 15,768 4,655 670,000
Wales (2015) 9,027 2,544 375,000
Northern Ireland (2015) 3,773 1,087 225,000
United Kingdom (2015) 158,155 42,245 7 million +

Deaths BHF/Oxford from latest official statistics (ONS/NISRA/NRS 2015 data); UK total includes non-residents (ONS data)
Living with CVD estimates based on latest health surveys with CVD fieldwork and GP patient data

There are around 7 million people living with

cardiovascular disease in the UK:
3.5 million men and 3.5 million women.
An ageing and growing population and
improved survival rates from cardiovascular
events could see these numbers rise still
further.
For more information about CVD, visit our
website at bhf.org.uk/heart-
health/conditions/cardiovascular-disease

Thanks to research we A groundbreaking study, co-funded by the BHF, investigated the

funded, the use of statins to help effect of social inequalities on health. This research has helped shape public
prevent CVD is now routine, health policy in the UK and around the world. Read the REF case study to
saving thousands of lives every find out more. Subsequently, addressing health inequalities has become a
year in the UK. Read the REF case key component in all innovation programmes that the BHF has piloted to
study to find out more. improve services for people living with or at risk of CVD.
 Early deaths from CVD (before the age of 75) are most common in the north of England, central Scotland and the
south of Wales, and lowest in the south of England.
Death rates take the age structure (demography) of local areas into account to reveal the real differences in statistics.
This is very important when there are big variations in the age profile of communities across the UK.
The highest premature CVD death rates by UK local authority (2012/14) were for the cities of Glasgow and
Manchester.

UK PREMATURE CVD DEATH RATES 2012/14 TOP FIVE (UK AVERAGE = 72)
Local Authority Location Death Rate Annual Number of CVD Deaths
per 100,000 Population Under 75 Years Old
Glasgow City Scotland 127 575
City of Manchester North West 123 350
North Lanarkshire Scotland 118 365
West Dunbartonshire Scotland 115 100
Blackpool Lancashire 110 155

The premature (under 75) death rate for Glasgow City (127 per 100,000) is over three times higher than for Hart in
Hampshire (36 per 100,000).
Regional and local UK statistics and rankings for CVD deaths can be found on our website at bhf.org.uk/statistics

A clinical trial, funded by us as part of a wider We have funded House of Care, an innovative
collaboration, showed that the benefits of treating programme designed to enable clinicians to empower
high blood pressure in very elderly people patients to make informed decisions about their care,
outweighed the risk of side effects, allowing elderly based on what is important to them, and provide
people to receive the care they require. Read the support to patients to manage their own conditions
REF case study to find out more. from day to day. bhf.org.uk/houseofcare
Cost of CVD
CVDs cost to the UK economy (including
premature death and disability) is estimated
to be over 15 billion each year.
Healthcare costs relating to CVD are estimated
at up to 11 billion each year.

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Coronary Heart Disease (CHD; Ischaemic Heart Disease)

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of cardiovascular disease. It occurs when coronary arteries become
narrowed by a build-up of atheroma, a fatty material within their walls. The pain or discomfort felt from such narrowing is
called angina and if a blockage occurs it can cause a myocardial infarction (heart attack).

CHD is the UK's single biggest killer. It is also the leading

cause of death worldwide.
In the UK, one in seven men and one in eleven women
die from coronary heart disease.
CHD is responsible for nearly 70,000 deaths in the UK
each year, an average of 190 people each day, or one
death around every eight minutes.
Most deaths from coronary heart disease are caused by a
heart attack.

Our researchers have developed a scoring A trial that we funded has led the way in
system to assess the risk of heart attack or death for demonstrating that MRI a non-invasive imaging
patients with acute coronary syndrome (unstable technique is more effective than a CT scan in
angina or heart attack). The GRACE scoring system is identifying people at high risk of death or heart attack
now a reference standard, resulting in guideline following chest pain suspected to be angina. These
changes in over 55 countries, leading to improved findings are important as MRI does not expose people
management of heart patients around the world. to radiation.
bhf.org.uk/ heartattackhistory bhf.org.uk/MRIscans_highrisk

Nearly 23,000 people under the age of 75 in the UK die from CHD each year.
Since the BHF was established the annual number of CHD deaths in the UK has fallen by more than half.
CHD death rates are highest in Scotland and the north of England and lowest in the south of England.
Regional and local UK statistics and rankings for CHD deaths can be found on our website at bhf.org.uk/statistics
CHD kills more than twice as many women in the UK as breast cancer.
2.3 million people are living with CHD in the UK over 60 per cent are male.
For more information about CHD, visit our website at bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/coronary-heart-disease

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Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction, MI)

Most deaths from coronary heart disease are caused by a heart attack.
In the UK there are 188,000 hospital visits each year due to heart attacks: that's one every three minutes.
In the 1960s more than 7 out of 10 heart attacks in the UK were fatal. Today at least 7 out of 10 people survive.
An estimated 915,000 people alive in the UK today (640,000 men and 275,000 women) have survived a heart attack.
For more information on heart attacks visit our website at bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/heart-attack
 Professor Michael Davies was one of Large-scale studies, Research that we
the first scientists to clearly demonstrate that part-funded by us, showed funded has shown that a new
blood clots in the hearts coronary arteries that combined treatment high-sensitivity blood test for
cause heart attacks. This breakthrough in the with aspirin and a clot troponin a protein released
1970s paved the way for scientists around the buster drug significantly from the heart during a heart
world to investigate how to prevent and treat increases survival rates attack results in improved
blood clots. This has led to the development after heart attacks. BHF diagnosis of heart attack,
of life saving, clot-busting drugs. Research - Heart Attack particularly in women.
bhf.org.uk/ heartattackhistory bhf.org.uk/heartattacktest

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Atrial Fibrillation (AF)

Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common forms of abnormal
heart rhythm (arrhythmia) and a major cause of stroke. We have funded arrhythmia care
coordinator (ACC) posts to improve outcomes for
Nearly 1.2 million people in the UK have been people with arrhythmias. The programme is
diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. already preventing thousands of hospital
admissions and has been adopted as a NICE
It is estimated that there are hundreds of thousands
Quality, Innovation and Productivity case study.
more living with undiagnosed AF in the UK.
bhf.org.uk/bestpractice
For more on atrial fibrillation, visit
bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/atrial-fibrillation

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Heart Failure (HF)

Heart failure occurs when the heart is not pumping blood around the body as well as it should, most commonly when the
heart muscle has been damaged for example, after a heart attack.

Over half a million people in the UK have been diagnosed with heart failure.
For more information on heart failure, visit our website at bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/heart-failure

Our researchers helped to Our work has shown that We funded an innovative
show that angiotensin heart failure specialist nurses pilot delivering intravenous
converting enzyme (ACE) (HFSNs) provide great benefit diuretics at home, leading to
inhibitors drugs that lower and comfort for heart patients improved quality of life for heart
blood pressure increase and their carers. The use of failure patients. Patients preferred
survival and improve quality of HFSNs has been widely adopted this over hospital-based treatment
life in patients with heart failure. across the UK. and the model has been replicated
bhf.org.uk/treatmentsresearch Managing HF in the Community across the UK.
bhf.org.uk/communityivd

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Stroke (Cerebrovascular Disease)

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, causing brain cells to become damaged. A transient
ischaemic attack (TIA) is also known as a mini-stroke and is caused by a temporary disruption in the blood supply to part of
the brain.

Strokes cause around 40,000 deaths in the UK each year.

Regional and local UK statistics and rankings for stroke deaths can be found on our website at bhf.org.uk/statistics
In the UK over 240,000 hospital visits each year are due to strokes.
Over 1.2 million people in the UK have survived a stroke or TIA, and almost half are under the age of 75.
For more information on strokes visit our website at bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/stroke
Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA)
Cardiac arrest is a serious medical emergency, where
the heart stops pumping blood around the body. Unless By providing access to and innovative
treated immediately, it leads to death within minutes. resources for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
training we aim to give people the skills and
There are more than 30,000 out-of-hospital confidence to act when they witness a cardiac arrest
cardiac arrests (OHCAs) in the UK each year. and improve survival rates, thereby building a nation
The overall survival rate in the UK is of lifesavers. Millions of adults and schoolchildren
less than 1 in 10. have participated in our CPR training schemes and
now have life saving skills.
The Chain of Survival (below) is a sequence of
steps that together maximise the chance of
We have also helped fund and place thousands
survival following cardiac arrest. of public access defibrillators (PADs) in communities
Every minute without cardiopulmonary across the country. We are making further
resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation reduces investments to increase defibrillator awareness for
the chance of survival by up to 10 per cent. emergency medical services and the public to ensure
that PADs can be accessed quickly in an emergency.
Performing CPR can double the chances of
survival in some cases (ventricular fibrillation). bhf.org.uk/survival
For more on cardiac arrest visit bhf.org.uk/heart-
health/conditions/cardiac-arrest

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Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart disease is a heart condition or defect
that develops in the womb before a baby is born. Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub developed surgical
techniques to treat a complex congenital heart defect.
Heart defects are diagnosed in at least 1 in 180 The switch procedure which he pioneered is now used
births - that's around 4,000 each year or 12 routinely, worldwide, to treat babies born with
babies each day - in the UK - with more abnormally connected blood vessels.
diagnoses later in life.
Estimates suggest that as many as 1-2 per cent of With our support, researchers at the Institute of
Child Health mapped out the details of heart defects.
the population may be affected.
This knowledge, combined with advances in imaging
Before the BHF was established, 8 out of 10 technology, helps to identify and treat abnormalities as
babies born in the UK with a heart defect did not early as possible, meaning babies have the best chance
survive to their first birthday. Today around of survival
8 out of 10 survive to adulthood.
For more information, visit bhf.org.uk/heart- bhf.org.uk/congenhistory
health/conditions/congenital-heart-disease
Inherited (Genetic) Conditions
These are conditions which can be passed on through families, affect people
of any age and be life-threatening.

They include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM; estimated to

affect 1 in 500 in the UK) and familial hypercholesterolaemia
(FH; 1 in 250).
Its estimated that around 600,000 people in the UK are living with
a faulty gene putting them at unusually high risk of developing
heart disease or dying suddenly at a young age.
In the UK it is estimated that at least 12 young people (aged under
35) die every week from an undiagnosed heart condition.
For more information, visit our website:-
bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/inherited-heart-conditions
bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/familial-hypercholesterolaemia

Professor Steve Humphries and his team have Professor Hugh Watkins and his team
pioneered the development of genetic tests for familial have led in the identification of the faulty
hypercholesterolaemia (FH), an inherited condition which genes that cause hypertrophic
results in exceptionally high levels of cholesterol in the blood. cardiomyopathy (HCM) a dangerous
Left untreated, this can greatly increase the risk of developing condition that can lead to sudden death.
heart disease at an early age. Read the REF case study to find Through the Miles Frost Fund, the BHF will
out more. Based on this research, the BHF has piloted FH pilot a programme to help ensure access to
cascade screening programmes across the UK since 2010, genetic testing for immediate family
ensuring access to genetic testing, and resulting in thousands members of those diagnosed with HCM.
being diagnosed and getting the treatment they need. bhf.org.uk/HCMresearch

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

CVD is a non-communicable (non-infectious or non-transmissible) disease.
Other NCDs include cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, digestive and mental health conditions.

NCDs kill almost half a million people each year in the UK; thats 86 per cent of all deaths.
NCDs cause 161,000 premature deaths each year in the UK; 86 per cent of all deaths before the age of 75.

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Medical Risk Factors

Many different risk factors increase your likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease.

Nearly 30 per cent of adults in the UK have high blood pressure and up to half are not receiving treatment.
High blood cholesterol is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Having diabetes can double the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
3.6 million adults in the UK have been diagnosed with diabetes.
In the UK around 10 per cent of those diagnosed are living with Type 1 diabetes and 90 per cent have Type 2.
Its estimated that around one million people may be living with undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes.

For more information, visit our website:-

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
bhf.org.uk/heart-health/risk-factors/high-blood-pressure
High Cholesterol
bhf.org.uk/heart-health/risk-factors/high-cholesterol
Diabetes
bhf.org.uk/heart-health/risk-factors/diabetes
Lifestyle Risk Factors
Modifiable risk factors (e.g. cigarette smoking, physical inactivity and poor diet) contribute significantly to the risk of CVD.

More than one in six adults smoke cigarettes in the UK thats around 9 million adults.
Nearly 100,000 smokers in the UK die from smoking-related causes each year.
Each year an estimated 20,000 UK deaths from cardiovascular disease can be attributed to smoking.

Over a quarter (27 per cent) of adults in the UK are obese and in addition more than a third are overweight (by BMI).
Its estimated that nearly 30 per cent of children in the UK are overweight or obese.
Nearly two out of five adults in the UK do not achieve recommended levels of physical activity.
Only a quarter of UK adults and one in five children consume the recommended minimum five portions of
fruit and vegetables per day.
A quarter of adults in the UK exceed national guidelines for weekly alcohol intake; no level of use is without risk.

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Other Risk Factors

Outdoor air pollution has an effect equivalent to tens of thousands of premature deaths in the UK each year, with a
significant impact on cardiovascular health.
Other risk factors can significantly increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including age, gender,
family history and ethnicity.

Groundbreaking studies by our Our research has provided evidence of a causal relationship
researchers have greatly advanced between air pollutants and cardiovascular disease. The researchers
our understanding of how maternal have also shown that fitting particle traps to diesel engine
nutrition and lifestyle during exhausts helps to prevent the damaging effects of some types of
pregnancy can affect a childs long- pollution. Some European countries have already started to adopt
term health. Read the REF case study this simple intervention to limit the detrimental effects of
to find out more. pollution on health. Visit our website to find out more.
 REFERENCES
STATISTIC REFERENCE
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE (CVD; HEART & CIRCULATORY DISEASE)
CVD deaths, men/women [NCDs 2014] BHF analysis of latest UK mortality statistics: ONS/NRS/NISRA (2015 data)
CVD ASDRs (death rates); UK CVD map BHF/Oxford University in collaboration with UK statistical agencies: ONS/NRS/NISRA
Numbers living with CVD BHF estimate based on GP patient data and latest UK health surveys with CVD fieldwork
15bn CVD cost ~ 11bn healthcare CEBR, The Economic Cost of Cardiovascular Disease, 2014
cost (www.cebr.com/reports/the-rising-cost-of-cvd/)
CORONARY HEART DISEASE (CHD; ISCHAEMIC HEART DISEASE)
CHD deaths, vs breast cancer, BHF analysis of latest UK mortality statistics: ONS/NRS/NISRA (2015 data) ~
biggest killer UK ~ worldwide World Health Organization, The Top 10 Causes of Death
CHD ASDRs (death rates) BHF/Oxford University in collaboration with UK statistical agencies: ONS/NRS/NISRA
2.3m living with CHD Quality & Outcomes Framework prevalence data 2015/16;
NHS Digital/ISD Scotland/StatsWales/DH Northern Ireland
Living with CHD gender split BHF analysis of 2013 CPRD prevalence data
HEART ATTACK (MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION, MI)
188k heart attack hospital visits UK hospital episode statistics, 2013/14; NHS Digital/ISD Scotland/NHS Wales/DH Northern Ireland
7/10 people survive heart attack ~ Case fatality rates in Smolinas 2012 BMJ paper on acute MI mortality
1960s estimate (www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.d8059) ~ Goldacres 2003 paper on myocardial infarction (Oxon)
915k survived MI BHF calculation based on 2013 CPRD prevalence data and ONS population estimates
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION (AF)
1.1m UK diagnosed with AF ~ Quality & Outcomes Framework prevalence data 2015/16; NHS Digital/ISD Scotland/StatsWales/DH
undiagnosed Northern Ireland ~ Atrial Fibrillation Association/NCVIN (Public Health England)
HEART FAILURE (HF)
500k+ living with heart failure Quality & Outcomes Framework prevalence data 2015/16;
NHS Digital/ISD Scotland/StatsWales/DH Northern Ireland
STROKE (CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASE)
40k UK stroke deaths BHF analysis of latest UK mortality statistics: ONS/NRS/NISRA (2015 data)
240k+ stroke hospital visits UK hospital episode statistics, 2013/14; NHS Digital/ISD Scotland/NHS Wales/DH Northern Ireland
1.2m UK stroke/TIA survivors Quality & Outcomes Framework prevalence data 2015/16;
NHS Digital/ISD Scotland/StatsWales/DH Northern Ireland
U75 stroke survivors BHF analysis of 2013 CPRD prevalence data
CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE
1:180 babies diagnosed BHF/Oxford University analysis of UK/BINOCAR congenital anomaly registers 2006-10
(NB totals exclude BAV - bicuspid aortic valve)
8/10 survival comparison BHF 50th Anniversary Book 50 Years at the Heart of Health
1-2% prevalence various estimates including Hoffman & Kaplan, JACC 19 per 1,000 includes BAVs which will
eventually need cardiologic care (www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109702018867)
INHERITED (GENETIC) CONDITIONS
600k+ UK living with faulty gene PHG Foundation, Heart to Heart: inherited cardiovascular conditions services (2009);
with revised FH prevalence estimates (see below) and DCM from Hershberger et al 2013
(www.nature.com/nrcardio/journal/v10/n9/full/nrcardio.2013.105.html)
1:250 living with familial Benn, Watts et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab Aug 2012 (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22893714)
hypercholesterolaemia (FH) with erratum Dec 2014; also in Eur Heart J Aug 2013, Nordestgaard et al
(eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2013/08/15/eurheartj.eht273)
1:500 living with hypertrophic Priori et al, Task Force on Sudden Cardiac Death ESC
cardiomyopathy (HCM) (eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/content/ehj/22/16/1374.full.pdf)
12 cardiac deaths/week under-35s Cardiac Risk in the Young (www.c-r-y.org.uk/sads-statistics)
OUT-OF-HOSPITAL CARDIAC ARREST (OHCA)
30k+ UK OHCAs/year, BHF UK estimate - volumes and survival rates are only routinely published for England
less than 10% survival cardiac events with resuscitation attempts
Every min & CPR doubles survival European Resuscitation Council, Guidelines for Resuscitation 2015 (www.cprguidelines.eu)
RISK FACTORS
3.6m adults diagnosed with diabetes ~ QOF prevalence data 2015/16; NHS Digital/ISD Scotland/StatsWales/DH Northern Ireland ~
undiagnosed*, type and double risk Diabetes UK, Diabetes: Facts and Stats 2015 *updated Sept 2016 after PHE revisions
Adults diagnosed high BP; BHF analysis of UK health surveys (Public Health England/NHS Digital/Scottish
number of smokers Government/StatsWales/DH Northern Ireland) ~ ONS population estimates (mid-2015)
Nearly 100k/20k CVD deaths BHF UK estimate based on NHS Digital, Statistics on Smoking, 2016
Obesity, physical activity, BHF analysis of UK health surveys
5-a-day, alcohol (NHS Digital/Scottish Government/StatsWales/DH Northern Ireland)
Air pollution COMEAP report (2010) (link) and Royal College of Physicians report (2016) (link)
About the British Heart Foundation (BHF)
For over 50 years weve pioneered research that has transformed the lives of millions of people living with heart disease. Our
work has been central to the discoveries of vital treatments that are leading the fight against heart disease.

But heart and circulatory disease still kills more than one in four
people in the UK, stealing them away from their families and
loved ones. From babies born with life-threatening heart
problems, to the many mums, dads and grandparents who
survive a heart attack or endure their daily battles with heart
failure.

Join our fight for every heartbeat in the UK. Every pound raised,
minute of your time and donation to our shops will help make
a difference to peoples lives.

bhf.org.uk/donate

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More BHF CVD Statistics

Including exclusive content, local statistics and maps
Visit our website bhf.org.uk/statistics
This factsheet is compiled by the British Heart Foundation.
Last reviewed and updated 23 January 2017.

Statistics are the latest available from the UKs health and statistical agencies.
For any queries, please contact us and we will do our best to help.

Factsheets are also available for Scotland, Wales

(in English/Welsh) and Northern Ireland.

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REF was launched in 2014 to assess the quality and impact of

research in UK higher education institutions. Each institution
was required to submit a comprehensive report detailing their
key research outputs (e.g. research papers, book chapters); an
overview of their research environment (e.g. funds raised,
doctorate degrees awarded); and case studies demonstrating
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) the impact of their research (e.g. development of new drugs,
impact.ref.ac.uk changes to clinical guidelines). Many of these impact case
studies feature research funded by the BHF.