Mortality from CVD varies widely throughout the UK, with the highest age-standardised CVD death rates in Scotland and the North of England. Treatment for CVD is increasing over time, with prescriptions and operations for CVD having substantially increased over the last two decades. NHS in England spent ~£6.8 billion on CVD in 2012/2013, the majority of which came from spending on secondary care.
According to an accompanying editorial, the North–South divide in cardiovascular mortality remains a stain on the UK's public health record and the UK socioeconomic gradients in disease incidence and mortality remain as steep now as they have ever been and until they are resolved the regional differences highlighted in the linked report will probably persist. It notes the misconception that CVD continues to be a problem for men, not women- CVD is killing more women than men—and more young women are dying from breast cancer. It calls on the wide dissemination of these important statistics.