It came after decades of eating and drinking too much in a high-stress, sedentary job: "It was an explosion waiting to happen," he said.
For Graham, whose wife had become increasingly disabled through multiple sclerosis, the diagnosis was a wake-up call.
"I need to be able to help her - and I need to be around for longer," he said.
Graham is not alone in his diagnosis.
Public Health England estimates that 42% of 45- to 64-year-olds have a long-term health condition such as diabetes or heart disease.