The latest figures (2024) from the NHS on preventable deaths for those under 75 show that for cardiovascular disease, the rates were still higher than the pre-pandemic period. Albeit the trend is falling back to pre-pandemic levels.

This is good news.

However, every death that is preventable is still a failure.

One question that remains is why did the figures increase in the post-pandemic period?

Cardiovascular disease (premature deaths)

The latest NHS Fingertips data (2024) shows that 10,349 men (28 per day) died prematurely from cardiovascular disease (43.1 per 100,000), twice as many as women (4,226 at a rate of 16.6 per 100,000).

In 2019, the figures for men were 9,446 at a rate of 39.9 per 100,000 (26 per day).

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a general term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels so this also includes heart disease and strokes.

Figure 1: Under-75 mortality rate from cardiovascular disease considered preventable (Male, 1 year range) – graph taken directly from NHS fingertips

The current 2025 data on cardiovascular disease does not yet show premature death figures for the under-75s. However, it does show that the overall figures are also declining also still above pre-pandemic levels.

In 2025, there were 24,648 deaths (67 per day) at a rate of 101.3 per 100,000. In 2019, the figures were 23,031 deaths (63 per day) and 97.2 per 100,000.

Figure 2: Under-75 mortality rate from cardiovascular disease (Male, 1 year range) – graph taken directly from NHS fingertips

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Looking at the data overall, a pattern seems to be emerging. That men’s physical health is improving while their mental health is worsening.

This is a part of a series of health-related research snapshots for Men's Health Week #MensHealthWeek

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