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Today, MPs gathered in the House of Commons to discuss how to prevent further increases in premature deaths from cardiovascular disease and published new analysis.
We have warned that the size of heart treatment waiting lists has doubled in less than three years.
The latest figures for December 2023 show there are 405,960 people on heart care waiting lists in the UK, compared to 203,893 in February 2021.
The new analysis was released today as MPs gathered in the House of Commons to discuss the need to raise awareness of the symptoms of cardiovascular disease, such as heart attacks and strokes, during Heart Month.
The debate was led by Dean Russell, Conservative MP for Watford, who suffered a heart attack in August 2023 at the age of 47.
constant pressure
MPs across the political divide heard how relentless pressure on the NHS is helping to reverse hard-won progress in reducing premature deaths from cardiovascular disease.
We argue that despite the best efforts of NHS staff, significant delays in heart tests, procedures and surgeries are putting people at risk of avoidable disability and even death.
Our chief executive, Dr Charmaine Griffiths, described the new figures as “staggering”. She said: “Political focus on this important issue is as urgent as ever. Uncertain and painful wait times for critical heart care are holding up and putting people’s lives at risk.
“Significant delays in cardiac care increase the risk of heart attack, heart failure, and even death at a younger age, placing a huge mental and physical burden on heart disease patients and their loved ones.
“Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of death in this country, even though it is largely preventable and treatable. Overcoming this heart care crisis will save more lives and save more lives.” It is vitally important to prevent the inevitable damage caused by heart and circulatory diseases.”
The discussion came a month after the government released statistics showing premature mortality rates and deaths from heart and circulatory diseases have increased for the third year in a row.
In 2022 alone, 39,000 people in the UK will die from cardiovascular disease before their 75th birthday, enough to fill more than 91 House of Commons chambers.
Further analysis is needed to understand exactly what is causing the rise in premature deaths, but the charity believes that in addition to the direct heart impact of Covid-19, the ongoing impact on the NHS It said extreme pressure was likely a factor.
significant impact
Heart treatment waiting lists are up 74 percent compared to February 2020, even though overall waiting lists have decreased slightly recently. Around 40 per cent of heart patients on waiting lists in the UK are waiting beyond her maximum target of 18 people. several weeks.
People on this list may be waiting for heart scans, other heart surgeries such as stents to help prevent heart attacks, or even open-heart surgery.
Emergency treatment for heart attacks has also been severely affected. The average waiting time for heart attack and stroke ambulances in England was 40 minutes in January, more than double the official target of 18 minutes.
The leading heart charity added that millions of people are at increased risk of heart attack and stroke due to cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure and smoking.
Health inequalities are also widening, with people living in the most deprived areas of England four times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than those living in the least deprived areas.
We are improving cardiovascular health on three fronts: improving the prevention of heart disease and stroke, prioritizing heart care in the NHS, and strengthening cardiovascular research to develop breakthrough new treatments and cures. We are asking for disease prioritization.
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