Cardiovascular disease (CVD)

Deprivation

Deprivation is one of the largest contributors to CVD inequalities across Stockton-on-Tees. 

People living in more deprived areas are less likely to access preventive services (for example NHS Health Checks) and more likely to experience complications that require emergency hospital care.

Life expectancy gap 

Men in the most deprived areas of Stockton-on-Tees live nearly 12 years less than those in the least deprived. For women the gap is almost 10 years. 

A significant proportion of this difference is due to circulatory diseases, including heart disease and stroke. 

CVD prevalence 

Conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and stroke are more common in deprived wards like Stockton Town Centre, Hardwick, and Norton North.

Age and gender 

Age

It is common for CVD to rises with age, particularly in people over 65 years. In Stockton-on-Tees, the ageing population in some wards, such as Yarm and Hartburn, is likely to drive future demand for cardiac and stroke care services. 

Gender

Men are more likely to experience coronary heart disease (CHD) and heart attacks at a younger age. In 2023 to 2024 Stockton-on-Tees NHS Health Check data, it shows men in every age group had a higher cardiovascular risk than women. 

NHS Health Check uptake in Stockton-on-Tees is lower among men aged 40 to 54, a key group for early identification of CVD risk. 

Ethnicity

South Asian communities, particularly Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Indian populations, have higher risk of developing CHD and type 2 diabetes at younger ages. 

African Caribbean populations have increased risk of hypertension and stroke. 

In Stockton-on-Tees, 41% of white British people took up the offer of a health check. This uptake was 0.03% for Caribbean, African and other mixed groups. 

Other protected characteristics

People with learning disabilities have significantly worse physical health and shorter life expectancy, often due to undiagnosed or poorly managed physical health conditions like CVD. 

LGBTQ+ populations may face barriers to care, higher rates of smoking, and poorer experiences within healthcare settings, all of which may contribute to increased CVD risk and unmet need. 

People with mental illness are more likely to die from CVD than those without, due to a combination of lifestyle risk factors, medication side effects, and under-treatment of physical health conditions. 

Inequalities in service provision and uptake 

NHS Health Check uptake in Stockton-on-Tees is lower in men. 42.4% of assessments were in men compared to 57.6% in women, despite a higher proportion of invites to men.  

NHS Health Check uptake lower in people from more deprived areas, despite higher numbers of invitations. 

Preventive messaging and services may be less accessible for people with low health literacy, learning disabilities, or those who are digitally excluded.