HEART disease has overtaken dementia as the leading cause of death, according to a report.
The Jersey mortality report showed that coronary heart disease accounted for around 110 deaths in 2023.
This is the highest annual figure recorded since 2007, and significantly above the five-year average of 80.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, which had been the top cause in both 2021 and 2022, accounted for around 90 deaths.
The data from Public Health was released just days before the 2024 mortality figures are due to be published.
Consultant cardiologist Andrew Mitchell said the trend was consistent with international patterns.
“Around the world, heart disease remains the leading cause of death, and most people will eventually die from either cancer or cardiovascular disease,” he said.
“As cancer treatments improve, more people are surviving cancer and living long enough to develop heart disease. The increase in heart disease deaths noted in Jersey may partly reflect this success in cancer care.”
The report was published in two stages. A preliminary release last year gave provisional numbers broken down by age and sex while many inquests were still pending.
This final edition provides the confirmed causes of death and full analysis.
In total, 880 Islanders died in 2023, 40 fewer than in 2022.
Men accounted for 470 deaths and women 410.
The average age at death was 79 – 77 for men and 81 for women.
Circulatory diseases, which include heart disease and strokes, were the leading category of causes, responsible for 29% of deaths, ahead of cancers at 27%.
Respiratory disease (including pneumonia), dementia and nervous system disorders made up much of the remainder.
Almost a third of all deaths (28%) were ‘premature’ – occurring before the age of 75.
Men accounted for nearly two-thirds of these.
Just under one-in-five deaths (18%) were classed as ‘avoidable’ through public health measures or earlier healthcare.
Cancer was the leading cause of avoidable deaths, followed closely by heart and circulatory disease.
Mr Mitchell said the figures underlined the importance of prevention.
He said: “We know that up to 80% of heart attacks are avoidable through lifestyle and risk-factor management.
“Keeping active, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, avoiding diabetes, not smoking, limiting alcohol, getting enough sleep, and nurturing strong social connections and a positive outlook all contribute to both longer and healthier lives.”
The age-standardised mortality rate for Jersey was 821 per 100,000 people – significantly lower than England (965) and Wales (1,054).
However, men continued to face higher risks, with a rate of 1,040 compared with 656 for women.
Covid-19 deaths fell sharply, with around 20 in 2023 compared with an annual average of 40 across the previous three years.
Mr Mitchell said that while Jersey compared well with other jurisdictions, “suggesting that living in Jersey is generally good for health”, prevention had to remain a priority.
He added: “We are fortunate to have excellent GPs and an award-winning Jersey Heart Team to care for heart patients when they are ill.
“But prevention requires partnership – individuals taking ownership of their own health, including the consistent use of medicines such as statins and blood pressure tablets when prescribed.
“Looking ahead, we are optimistic that a new government prevention programme will soon be launched, with the potential to reduce premature deaths even further.
“With collective effort, Jersey can aspire to be not only one of the healthiest, but also the happiest communities in the world.”
