Diabetes
Diabetes increases the damage done by
some of the major risk factors for coronary heart
disease.
High glucose levels in the blood affect the walls of the
arteries, making them more likely to develop fatty deposits
(atheroma).
The number of people with diabetes increases with age, and
more men have diabetes than women. Around 6 per cent of men in
the UK have diabetes and 4 per cent of women, although this
does vary across the UK.
- In Wales 7
per cent of men have been diagnosed with diabetes and 6 per
cent of women.
- In Northern
Ireland 4 per
cent of men have been diagnosed with diabetes and 4 per
cent of women.
- In England 5.6
per cent of men have been diagnosed with diabetes and 4.2 per
cent of women.
- In Scotland 5.3
per cent of men have been diagnosed with diabetes and 4.1 per
cent of women.
Not all diabetes is diagnosed. The Health Survey for England in
2003 measured the blood glucose levels of respondents aged
over 35 and found that 3.1 per cent of men and 1.5 per
cent of women had undiagnosed diabetes.
Downloads
Statistics on medical risk factors of heart disease, including
diabetes from Coronary Heart Disease
Statistics 2010