The 6 early symptoms of UK’s biggest killer – as deaths rise year on year [Video]

DEMENTIA was the UK’s leading cause of death for the 13th year in a row in 2023, new research has revealed.

And the “crisis will only worsen” because of the ageing population, Alzheimer’s Research UK warned, unless the Government takes action.

In 2023, at least 75,393 people died of disease – 11.4 per cent of all recorded deaths.

This marks a steady rise from 74,261 in 2022 and 69,178 in 2021, according to the charities analysis.

Dementia now causes more deaths than heart disease.

The charity’s chief executive Hilary Evans-Newton said: “This data reveals the tragic reality of dementia’s devastating impact across the UK.

“This crisis will only worsen as our population ages unless Government takes action to address it.”

An estimated 944,000 people in the UK live with dementia.

Alzheimer’s Research UK predicts the figure could rise to 1.4 million by 2040.

Ms Evans-Newton added: “Dementia already accounts for a quarter of hospital beds for people over 65, and the …