Almost a third of deaths resulting from cardiovascular disease in England occur among individuals with diabetes, as revealed by an analysis conducted by a leading charity, Diabetes UK. According to the report, out of the 144,590 deaths attributed to cardiovascular disease in 2022, 29% involved individuals with diabetes. This figure represents a significant increase from 2009 when only 15% of cardiovascular deaths were linked to diabetes, out of 147,820 deaths. The report also highlights the substantial financial burden of diabetes care in the UK, which stands at £10.7 billion annually and is projected to reach £18 billion by 2035. Despite the severity of these statistics, only 61.3% of individuals received all recommended care processes for diabetes in 2023-24, with over a third missing at least one of these critical checks. An estimated 5.8 million people across the UK are currently living with diabetes, with approximately 90% of these cases classified as type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes UK’s report urges the government’s upcoming 10-year health plan to set a target of reducing death and disability from cardiovascular disease by a quarter and to outline clear metrics for achieving this goal. Colette Marshall, the CEO of Diabetes UK, emphasizes the need for immediate action and political will, highlighting that diabetes currently leads to a significant number of strokes, heart attacks, and cases of heart failure each week in England. She calls for a shift in focus from sickness to prevention, utilizing the existing tools and knowledge to address the crisis effectively.
Professor Kamlesh Khunti of the University of Leicester underscores the importance of cardiovascular health management in individuals with diabetes, stressing that controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose can significantly reduce complications and improve both the quality and length of life for those with diabetes. He also points out the availability of therapies that can prevent cardiovascular diseases and kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes, highlighting the necessity for improved care delivery. The NHS England has been reached out for comment in response to the report’s findings.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/may/14/almost-a-third-of-deaths-from-heart-disease-in-england-occur-in-diabetes-patients-report-finds
