Director of Public Health Annual Report 2022: Preventing heart disease and stroke in Buckinghamshire

Cardiovascular disease describes diseases of the heart and blood vessels. It includes heart disease, stroke, transient ischaemic attacks (mini-strokes) and can cause heart attacks, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, peripheral arterial disease and vascular dementia which is the second most common type of dementia. Cardiovascular disease costs the NHS in England £7.4 billion and the wider economy £15.8 billion every year. It is responsible for 1 in 4 premature deaths in the UK and is the biggest contributor to the gap in life expectancy between those living in the most and least deprived areas.

Buckinghamshire is one of least deprived and consequently healthiest counties in England. However, our residents still suffer from a significant burden of preventable diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Although our death rates from cardiovascular disease are lower than the national average, cardiovascular disease is a significant cause of ill health and disability in Buckinghamshire. It causes 1 in 5 deaths in Buckinghamshire and is the biggest contributor to the gap in life expectancy between people living in our most and least deprived areas.

The good news is that most cardiovascular disease can be prevented.