Shropshire diabetes warning: Rise in heart attacks and strokes on the way, say experts

The British Heart Foundation says Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin are among those with a continuing increase in sufferers.

Projections by Public Health England show that in 2015, 11,351 people in Telford & Wrekin were living with diabetes, 8.4 per cent of the population. In the Shropshire Council area, 23,513 people were living with the condition, 9.1 per cent of the population.

These figures are expected to grow to 14,570 people in Telford & Wrekin, rising to 9.9 per cent, and 30,590 people in Shropshire, rising to 10.7 per cent.

The British Heart Foundation says lifestyle factors, such as obesity and poor diet, are leading to increasing rates of type two diabetes, the most common form of the condition that accounts for about 90 per cent of diagnoses.

The charity says being overweight is one of the biggest contributing factors in developing type two diabetes.

The most recent figures for 2016/17 show that 66 per cent of adults in Telford & Wrekin were overweight, and 70 per cent in Shropshire, both of which are significantly higher than the national average.

Studies revealed that the problem is also reaching children, with more than a third of year six pupils in Telford & Wrekin being overweight, and 21 per cent obese.

Nearly a third of year six students in Shropshire are also overweight, with 17 per cent being obese.

Simon Gillespie, chief executive of the British Heart Foundation, said: "People with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases and the expected surge in type two diabetes cases by 2035 could put thousands more people at risk of a deadly heart attack or stroke.

"We can only reverse this trend by taking bold action to tackle obesity and inactivity, especially amongst young people."

The charity worker says that while research is helping to improve survival rates for heat attacks and strokes, the anticipated rise in cases is worrying.

Junk food advertising

"We must include consideration of further regulatory action to reduce sugar and fat content in food, and to curb junk food advertising directly at young children," he added.

"The food industry is not acting quickly enough to re-formulate its products, despite mounting evidence of their impact on the nation's health."

Nearly four million people across England are currently living with diabetes, but the number is expected to exceed five million by 2035.

Jenny Harries, deputy medical director at Public Health England, said: "Everyone can make important lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of heat disease, stroke and type two diabetes.

"These include losing weight, quitting smoking, exercising regularly and cutting back on alcohol.

"I encourage having a free NHS Health Check, offered to 40 to 74-year-olds, to help spot early warning signs of these preventable conditions."

In 2015, more than 30,000 people with diabetes had a heart attack, a figure that the British Heart Foundation estimate will increase to nearly 39,000 by 2035.

Over the same period, cases of diabetes and strokes are expected to increase from nearly 39,000 to more than 50,000.

When further diseases such as angina and heart failure are included, it is estimated there will be more than 380,000 people with diabetes and a heart or circulatory disease in England by 2035, an increase of more than 85,000 people from 2015.