Circulatory Diseases Account for One in Four Deaths in the Canary Islands
The Hospital Universitario de Canarias has launched an educational initiative to combat rising cardiovascular disease rates, which currently account for one in four deaths in the region.
Circulatory system diseases are once again at the center of healthcare discussions in the Canary Islands. According to the Hospital Universitario de Canarias (HUC), these conditions now cause one in every four deaths in the region, highlighting an urgent need for better prevention strategies.
Data from the National Statistics Institute (INE) and the Canary Islands Institute of Statistics (Istac) show a concerning trend: heart disease, heart failure, and strokes are the leading causes of both death and hospital admissions on the islands. Last year, these ailments resulted in over 20,800 hospitalizations, and in 2024, they have already claimed more than 3,000 lives, with ischemic heart disease being the most common cause.
Geoffrey Yanes, head of Cardiology at the HUC, warns that the Canary Islands are more vulnerable than the rest of Spain. This is largely due to high rates of obesity, being overweight, and diabetes among the local population. Experts agree that up to 80% of serious cardiovascular events could be prevented by managing these risk factors. Controlling blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol, alongside adopting a Mediterranean diet, quitting smoking, and managing stress, are essential steps to improving heart health.
To mark European Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Day, the hospital has launched an educational project called Little Red Riding Hood, a Heart Adventure. Developed in partnership with the biotechnology firm Amgen and running in eight other hospitals nationwide, the initiative uses an interactive book to show patients how their daily choices affect their long-term health.
The Canary Islands Health Service and HUC leadership support the campaign, noting that health education is vital to reducing the strain on the healthcare system. The project will be available in the Ambulatory Activities Building for the next three weeks, turning the waiting room into a space where patients can learn about the impact of their habits by following the story’s protagonist.