Why employers need to keep beating the heart health drum
The British Heart Foundation estimates that more than half of us in the UK will experience a heart or circulatory condition in our lifetime. Heart and circulatory diseases cause around a quarter (26%) of all deaths in the UK, that's more than 170,000 deaths a year, or 480 each day – one every three minutes.1 Around twice as many people are living with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK than with cancer and Alzheimer’s disease combined.
As an employer, you can influence how your employees learn about, and understand, the impact that their lifestyle choices can have on their heart health. Investing in education, awareness campaigns, screenings and check-ups, businesses can encourage heart-healthy habits and behaviours amongst employees.
7.6 million people live with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK - 4 million males and 3.6 million females1.
2.3 million people in the UK living with coronary heart disease (CHD) – around 1.5 million men and 830,000 women1.
Around £12 billion total annual healthcare cost of heart and circulatory diseases in the UK1.
26% proportion of all UK deaths casued by heart and circulatory disease1.
Every 8 minutes, someone in the UK passes away from coronary heart disease. It’s one of the UK’s leading causes of mortality and the most common cause of premature death. It’s also the leading cause of death worldwide1.
1. BHF UK CVD Factsheet. UK Factsheet September, British Heart Foundation, 2025
Employer support for cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a broad term that refers to conditions that impact the heart or blood vessels.
Typically linked to the accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries (atherosclerosis) and an elevated risk of blood clots, CVD can also result in harm to arteries in vital organs like the brain, heart, kidneys, and eyes. It’s important to say, the good news is that early deaths from heart disease have fallen dramatically in recent years.1
A leading cause of mortality and disability in the UK, CVD can largely be prevented through the adoption of a healthy lifestyle and identifying and addressing heart disease risk factors. These can significantly lower the chances of developing heart problems. This involves knowing the risk factors, addressing these (e.g. lowering blood pressure and cholesterol) and making lifestyle changes. All could reduce the future risk of heart disease and stroke.
This is where employers can make a big impact. Help your employees to adopt healthier lifestyles by encouraging them to become more active and adopt healthy habits, by providing health assessments and coaching to motivate your workforce to manage their wellbeing.
1 - Since 2001, early deaths from heart desease have dropped from 150/100K of the population to around 90/100k of the population - https://www.bhf.org.uk/-/media/files/for-professionals/research/heart-statistics/bhf-cvd-statistics-uk-factsheet.pdf and European Journal of Preventable Cardiology Volume 31 Issue 14 October 2024 Oxford Academic https://academic.oup.com/eurjpc/article/31/14/1724/7700337
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