Cardiovascular disease (CVD)

About CVD

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a general term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels.

It includes everything from conditions that are inherited or that a person is born with, to those that develop later, such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke and vascular dementia.

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects more than 1 in 10 adults in the UK, making it one of the most common long-term conditions and one of the nation’s biggest killers, claiming a quarter of all lives.
  • CVD remains a leading cause of premature mortality – that is, deaths under the age of 75 – with heart disease and stroke causing more than 33,000 premature deaths each year. It is the second most common cause of premature death, after cancer.
  • The impact of CVD is especially felt in the deprived communities, where people are 4 times more likely to die from CVD and do so far earlier than those in the less deprived areas.
  • Poor cardiovascular health contributes significantly to economic inactivity: 770,000 working-age adults with cardiovascular conditions are out of work, contributing to around £1.2 billion in lost productivity annually

Despite these challenges, at least 70% of cardiovascular disease is associated with risk factors that are preventable or modifiable through earlier identification and management.

Our work on CVD

The Government has set an ambition to reduce premature mortality from heart disease and stroke by 25% within 10 years.

Published in July 2026, the CVD Modern Service Framework (MSF) sets out the strategic vision and framework for the health and care system to deliver this ambition.

The MSF has been developed with extensive engagement and co-production with partners across the health and care system. It will transform how cardiovascular care is planned, delivered and measured across England.

The CVD MSF marks a decisive shift away from reactive hospital care towards proactive prevention, earlier diagnosis and treatment closer to home.

The CVD MSF:

  • identifies 12 evidence-based priorities across prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation
  • adopts a cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CVKM) approach, recognising links between heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and shared risk factors
  • sets national standards, metrics, and 3- and 10-year ambitions to support accountability, reduce unwarranted variation, and tackle health inequalities
  • emphasises prevention, early identification, and treating CVKM risk factors to target
  • supports neighbourhood health services and more care closer to home
  • sets out a future vision for innovation, digital tools, data, and partnerships to improve cardiovascular outcomes

What the CVD MSF means for patients and the public over the next decade:

  • Finding the “missing millions” – Many people have cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic (CVKM) risk conditions such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol without knowing it.
    • The NHS is working to identify people with these risks earlier and provide support before serious health problems develop.
    • By taking a joined-up approach to heart, kidney and metabolic health, we can help more people stay healthy for longer and reduce their risk of heart attacks, strokes and other complications.
  • NHS health checks will become easier to access. More checks will be available in community settings and online, not just at GP practices.
  • Support to quit smoking will be offered consistently across all NHS settings, including during hospital stays.
  • If your blood pressure is high, your treatment will be actively adjusted until it works.
    • The NHS will follow up, tweak medicines and monitor progress until your blood pressure reaches a safe level.
  • If you have diabetes, you’ll receive 9 essential checks per year – including blood pressure, cholesterol and kidney function – helping to prevent serious complications.
    • Most of these will be delivered through your GP and you will also be enrolled in the diabetic eye-screening programme.
  • More people will get access to innovative medicines proven to protect the heart and kidneys.
    • Many eligible people are not currently receiving new treatment options.
    • Healthcare teams will work with you to optimise your medications.
  • If you have a heart attack or stroke, you’ll get to the right care faster.
    • Ambulances and hospitals will work more closely together to reduce delays and expand access to innovative treatments, which can be life-saving.
  • Rehabilitation will be available to more people, more flexibly.
    • Online and hybrid options will make it easier to access recovery support wherever you live.
  • More care will come to you. Support will increasingly be available in your community, through the NHS App, local pharmacies and neighbourhood services.

Prevention Accelerator sites

These will show how focused, community-led action to improve uptake and delivery of high-impact CVD prevention interventions can improve population health and reduce demand on NHS services.

The first wave will focus on 5 sites: Greater London, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, South Yorkshire, and West Midlands.

How we are working with partners

NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care are working with partners, including Diabetes UK, the British Heart Foundation, the Stroke Association, Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs), the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) and other arm’s length bodies and third sector organisations to deliver the MSF.

If you would like to find out any more about our work on CVD, please contact england.clinicalpolicy@nhs.net

Resources