There are many different types of CVD, some of the main types are:

• Coronary heart disease (also known as Ischaemic Heart Disease)
• Cerebrovascular Disease including Strokes and TIAs (transient ischaemic attack – also called a TIA or “mini-stroke”)
• Other Heart Disease including Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation
• Peripheral arterial disease

Cardiovascular disease includes conditions that narrow or block blood vessels (coronary heart disease). This can lead to a heart attack, angina and some strokes. Heart disease also covers conditions that affect your heart’s muscle, valves or cause abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias).

According to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Compare tool (2023), CVD is the second highest contributing cause to Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) in Yorkshire & Humber, as well as the second highest cause of death after neoplasms. This is a pattern seen nationally, and reflects a steady decline in rates since the tool began recording in 1990, however Yorkshire & Humber rates have remained consistently higher than the England average in recent years. Regionally, 73% of CVD-related DALYs and 74% of CVD-related deaths are attributable to modifiable risk factors.

The exact cause of CVD isn’t clear, but there are lots of things that can increase the risk of getting it. The more risk factors someone has, the greater the chances of developing CVD.

The GBD Compare tool ranks all risk factors of CVD DALYS as follows:

The GBD Compare tool ranks all risk factors of CVD Mortality as follows:

• High blood pressure (hypertension) – is one of the most important risk factors for CVD. If your blood pressure is too high, it can damage your blood vessels. (Current hypertension prevalence amongst adults (18+) in Wakefield is around 21%, up from 17% due to case finding. The national figure is estimated to be around 32%).
• Smoking – is also a significant risk factor for CVD. The harmful substances in tobacco can damage and narrow your blood vessels.
• High cholesterol – Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the blood. If you have high cholesterol, it can cause your blood vessels to narrow and increase your risk of developing a blood clot.
• Diabetes – is a lifelong condition that causes your blood sugar level to become too high. High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels, making them more likely to become narrowed. Many people with type 2 diabetes are also overweight or obese, which is also a risk factor for CVD.
• Chronic Kidney disease (CKD) – is a long-term condition where the kidneys do not work as well as they should. People with chronic kidney disease have an increased risk of developing other serious problems, including CVD.
• Inactivity – If you don’t exercise regularly, it’s more likely that you’ll have high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and be overweight. Exercising regularly will help keep your heart healthy. When combined with a healthy diet, exercise can also help you maintain a healthy weight.
• Having overweight or obesity – increases your risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure, both of which are risk factors for CVD.
• Family history of CVD – You’re considered to have a family history of CVD if you have a parent, brother or sister who had angina or a heart attack before the age of 60.
• Ethnic background – people of south Asian and Black African or African Caribbean backgrounds have an increased risk of getting CVD. This is because people from these backgrounds are more likely to have other risk factors for CVD, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.
• Age – CVD is most common in people over 50 and your risk of developing it increases as you get older
• Sex – men are more likely to develop CVD at an earlier age than women
• Diet – an unhealthy diet can lead to high cholesterol and high blood pressure
• Alcohol – excessive alcohol consumption can also increase your cholesterol and blood pressure levels, and contribute to weight gain

This section contains data from primary care records hosted on the ICB Linked Data Model.

• Coronary heart disease and atrial fibrillation are the most prevalent cardiovascular diseases in Wakefield.
• All types of CVD are more prevalent in the older age bands, among males, and those living in the most deprived areas of the district with higher rates seen among neighbourhoods/wards in the North East and South East of the district.
• Atrial fibrillation is significantly higher among people with White British ethnicity.
• Coronary heart disease is significantly higher among people with Asian or Asian British ethnicity.

The following interactive dashboard can be used to explore variation in cardiovascular disease prevalence by different breakdowns. Click on the buttons at the top to navigate between the different demographic breakdowns.

This section contains data from the Hospital Episodes Statistics (HES) data (2018-2024) for Wakefield District residents, ONS mid-year population estimates and SystmOne (Sept 2025). All admissions refer to any secondary care-based activity that requires a hospital bed, including both emergency and planned admissions. Emergency admissions specifically refer to the admissions that occur in the emergency department and are typically due to urgent medical conditions requiring urgent attention.

• Hospital admission rates for all CVD (all admissions and emergency) are lower for Wakefield residents than both national (England) and regional (Yorkshire & Humber) levels, which is unexpected given that Wakefield has higher risk factors, prevalence and mortality for CVD.
• There has been little change in hospital admission rates due to CVD since 2018 for Wakefield residents. This is similar to national and regional trends.
• Hospital admission rates for CVD (all admissions and emergency), are significantly higher than the district average among older adults, males, and those living in deprivation quintiles 1 and 2.
• Hospital admission rates for CVD (all admissions) are significantly lower among Wakefield residents of Mixed and Black ethnicities, and emergency admissions are significantly lower among Wakefield residents of Black ethnicities compared to the district average.
• Despite average CVD prevalence CVD in Wakefield East ward and the City Centre and Featherstone neighbourhoods, hospital admission rates are significantly higher than the district average. The Eastmoor neighbourhood also has average prevalence rates for CVD but significantly higher emergency hospital admissions.

The following interactive dashboard can be used to explore variation in cardiovascular disease hospitals admissions by different breakdowns. Click on the buttons at the top to navigate between the different demographic breakdowns.

This section contains data from the ONS mortality dataset and ONS mid-year population estimates.

• The CVD conditions with the highest mortality rates in Wakefield are Coronary heart disease, Cerebrovascular disease (including Stroke) and Other heart disease (including Heart Failure).
• Although rates of CVD mortality across Wakefield have fallen by 53% since 2000, decreasing trends have slowed and rates have plateaued since 2015.
• The under-75 rate for mortality considered preventable has decreased by 58% since 2000, although this decreasing trend has slowed and remained stable since 2017.
• In 2024, the rate of mortality due to CVD was significantly higher for males, people over the age of 65 years and those living in the most deprived areas of Wakefield.
• Despite average CVD prevalence in the City Centre neighbourhood, mortality rates are significantly higher than the district average.

The following interactive dashboard can be used to explore variation in cardiovascular disease mortality rates by different breakdowns. Click on the buttons at the top to navigate between the different demographic breakdowns.