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Cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), sometimes referred to as circulatory diseases, are diseases of the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease (CHD), heart attack and stroke. CVD is caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, brain or body caused by atheroma or thrombosis and is common in people aged over 60.  The main causes of CVD are tobacco use, physical inactivity, an unhealthy diet and harmful alcohol use.

Key findings

Any rates quoted are directly standardised and are for 100,000 of the population for the age group stated. Prevalence data is sourced via the QOF, data is from 2024/25. 

  • The prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD, all persons, all ages) in the Lancashire-12 area (3.7%) is within the 2nd highest quintile in England (3.0%). In Blackburn with Darwen the prevalence is 3.3% whilst in Blackpool it is 4.3%. Trend data shows no significant change in Blackpool whilst Blackburn with Darwen and Lancashire are both seeing a decline, in line with the national trend.

  • The prevalence of hypertension (all ages) in the Lancashire-12 area (17.1%) is higher than England (15.2%). Blackburn with Darwen has a prevalence of 15.0% (similar to England) whilst in Blackpool the prevalence of hypertension is 19.4% (also higher than England).

  • The prevalence of stroke is 2.2% for Lancashire which is in the 2nd highest quintile in England (1.9%), trend data show this is increasing locally and nationally. Blackburn with Darwen stroke prevalence is 1.8% whilst Blackpool's is 2.6%.

Mortality from CVD 

All rates are directly standardised and are per 100,000 of the population (2023-25)

Mortality figures for 2025 are provisional.

  • The rate of mortality from all CVD in the Lancashire-12 area was (236.1 per 100,000 persons) is statistically significantly worse than England (221.3). Blackpool (288.9) and Blackburn with Darwen (274.0) both also have statistically significantly higher rates of mortality than England. 

  • 7 of Lancashire's 12 districts (Burnley – 282.6, Preston – 267.8, Hyndburn – 264.9, Pendle – 251.5, Lancaster – 247.1, West Lancashire – 240.8, and Chorley – 237.0) have significantly higher rates of mortality due to CVD when compared with England. Meanwhile, South Ribble (203.2), Fylde(198.9), and  Ribble Valley (175.8) have significantly lower rates.

  • The mortality rate for both males and females is significantly higher in Lancashire (M-297.6, F-183.9) than England (M-281.3, F-171.5). When compared with England, Burnley, Preston, Pendle, Rossendale, Hyndburn, and Lancaster had higher rates for males whilst Hyndburn, Burnley, West Lancashire, Preston, and Lancaster had higher rates for females.

Premature mortality from CVD

All rates are directly standardised and are for 100,000 of the population for those aged under-75 years (2023-25)

Mortality figures for 2025 are provisional.

  • The rate of premature mortality from all CVD in the Lancashire-12 area (85.9 per 100,000 persons) is statistically significantly worse than England (74.4). Blackpool (133.6) and Blackburn with Darwen (110.0) both also have statistically significantly higher rates of premature mortality due to CVD than England. 

  • 6 of Lancashire's districts (Burnley – 188.1, Hyndburn – 115.5, Preston 108.6, Lancaster -95.1, Pendle – 94.3, and Rossendale 87.4) have a significantly higher rate of premature mortality due to CVD when compared with England, whilst Ribble Valley has a significantly lower rate (56.0).

  • Premature mortality rates for males (L12- 118.0, E-105.4) and females (L12-55.2 , E-45.2)  from CVD are both higher in Lancashire when compared with England. 6 districts have a male mortality rate that is higher than England (Burnley, Hyndburn, Preston, Lancaster, Rossendale, and Pendle), whilst 5 districts have a female mortality rate higher than England (Hyndburn, Preston, Burnley, Pendle, Lancaster, and West Lancashire)

The National Cardiovascular Intelligence Network (NCVIN) has produced profiles for cardiovascular disease, related diseases and risk factors, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has some guidance on the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

For county, unitary and other data and further information please see below. Please note, not all indicators will be displayed at this current geographical level. To select the geography you are interested in, click on the down arrow next to 'area type'. To select the districts, choose 'Districts & UA'. 


Page updated July 2026