Covid-19: Pandemic disruption linked to 30 000 excess heart disease deaths, charity reports

Record long waiting lists, ambulance delays, and inaccessible care have driven a surge in excess deaths involving heart disease in England, an analysis by the British Heart Foundation has found.1Between March 2020 and August 2022 there were more than 30 000 excess deaths involving coronary heart disease, an average of 230 a week above the expected death rate. In addition, many people have not been able to access care for conditions such as high blood pressure, that could raise the risk of a future heart attack or stroke, the foundation’s report said.It highlighted NHS England data showing that two million fewer people were recorded as having controlled hypertension in 2021 than in the previous year and that this could lead to an extra 11 190 myocardial infarctions and 16 702 additional strokes over three years.The foundation’s chief executive, Charmaine Griffiths, said, “Despite the best efforts and commitment of NHS staff,…
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