Circulatory Diseases

Circulatory diseases cause more deaths in Somerset than any other condition type. In the five-year period of 2008-12, there were 8,542 deaths caused by circulatory diseases (31% of all deaths in Somerset).

These are broken down as follows:-

• Coronary Heart Disease 3,565 (42% of circulatory disease mortality)
• Stroke 2,557 (30%)
• Hypertension 227 (3%)
• Other  circulatory disease 2,193 (25%)

The prevalence of cardiovascular disease increases significantly after the age of 40 years. The NHS Health Checks programme in Somerset is a key priority as it focuses on raising awareness of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease and offering individuals support to reduce their future risk. In 2012, 61% of the annual target population were invited to a check and 27% received a check.

In the latest Cardiovascular Disease Health Profile (2014), Somerset performs better or is broadly in line with the national average in respect of most indicators.

• Early mortality (under 75 years) rates from cardiovascular disease have decreased by 64% since 1995.
• In 2012/13 there were 12,016 people in Somerset diagnosed as having had a stroke but the actual figure is estimated to be almost 13,000
• Early mortality rates for strokes in Somerset in 2012/13 were 9.9 per 100,000 people, well below the national rate of 14.1 per 100,000.
• In 2012/13, there were 21,160 people in Somerset diagnosed wih Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), but based on national data modelled from the Health Survey for England, the true figure could be almost 30,000.
• Early mortality rates for CHD in Somerset in 2012/13 are significantly lower than the national average and have fallen by 54% since 2002.
• Emergency admission rates for both coronary heart disease and stroke are significantly lower than the national rate.
• However, stroke patients under 75 years are less likely to be discharged back to their usual place of residence compared to the national picture.

Hypertension Profiles

In January 2016, the National Cardiovascular intellligence network (NCVIN), in partnership with the Public Health England (PHE) blood pressure team, launched a series of Hypertension Profiles for each Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and lower tier local authority.  

The Hypertension Profiles show each local authority how well it is doing in detecting and treating high blood pressure by comparing its performance with that of similar authorities and with the rest of England. 

For a countywide perspective, please read the NHS Somerset CCG summary. There are considerable differences in prevalence, detection and risk factors between the five districts. These summary reports are available from the Local Authorities section.