The number of adults diagnosed with diabetes in the UK has increased by 65% since 2005 and by 3.5% in the past year, according to new research from the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
Having diabetes significantly increases a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease, which includes an increased risk of a heart attack or stroke and of losing limbs because of poor circulation.
Nearly 3.5 million UK adults have been diagnosed with diabetes according to new GP patient data for 2014/15. This figure is up from 3.3 million last year and two million in 2004/05.
Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Up to four million adults in the UK have diabetes so treatments are urgently needed that can help prevent them suffering a deadly or disabling heart attack or stroke.”
The charity also announced that they will be investing £3 million into diabetes research.
Feebee Cox, aged 43 from Warwick, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2013 and tried to manage her condition through lifestyle changes but found that she still needed medication. Her partner Lawrence was also diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and has had two heart attacks.
Cox said: “It’s scary to think how much more likely I am to have a heart attack because of diabetes. Since my diagnosis I’ve changed my diet and keep active through walking and regularly visiting the gym. Itreally helps that Lawrence and I can support each other on this journey. But I still need to take medicines to manage my condition and any new treatments that can be discovered to further reduce my risk of a heart problem would be hugely comforting.”
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Those are startling statistics! This is another reason I've been taking charge of my diet to make healthy changes! <3 - www.domesticgeekgirl.com
ReplyDeleteToo bad more people don't pay attention to their bodies during the pre-diabetic stages.
ReplyDeleteScary stuff, alarming statics!!
ReplyDeleteFrightening statistics. I feel strongly about listening to our body. Perhaps that sounds weird to some but I have been doing this for such a long time, I do not even think about it.
ReplyDeleteI am fortunate that I had a good role model (my mother). My parents had little money, so we were fed mainly on crops from the garden, little meat and fish.
We had carbohydrate but in small quantities.
Pity they won't spend any of that £3 million on research into a worthwhile diet, or perhaps a trial of Test Test Test.
ReplyDeletethank you so much for the article, I am very happy to get this kind of information.
ReplyDelete