In the UK, the average ambulance response time for Category 2 calls, including suspected heart attacks and strokes, was 40 minutes in January 2024.

The latest numbers are a slight improvement compared to December, but are still more than double the official target of 18 minutes for answering Category 2 calls. NHS England and the Government have set a new average target of 30 minutes for 2023/24. This goal was achieved in just one month from April 2023.

The latest NHS England figures released today show that the heart disease waiting list in England reached 405,960 people at the end of December 2023, an increase of 3,932 people on the previous month.

Heart care waiting lists are up 74% compared to February 2020. This is an increase of 173,000 people, almost enough to fill Wembley Stadium almost twice as full.

Additionally, the number of people waiting more than four months (the intended maximum waiting time target) for potentially life-saving cardiac care was 163,768 at the end of December, rising to 156,400 at the end of November 2023. increased compared to All people on heart treatment waiting lists (40%) have been waiting more than 18 weeks for treatment.

The number of people waiting more than a year for urgent heart tests and treatments fell to 10,726 from 11,400 in November. Only 28 people waited this long in February 2020.

heart care crisis

The longer a person waits for treatment, the greater the risk of disability and early death from heart failure.

Dr Sonya Babu Narayan, Associate Medical Director and Consultant Cardiologist, said: “Every minute counts when it comes to heart attacks and strokes, and there continue to be significant delays in ambulances responding to these life-threatening emergencies.

“At the same time, waiting times for planned cardiac treatments remain near record highs. Neglecting time-sensitive cardiac treatments can lead to avoidable death and disability.

“We are deeply concerned that delays and cancellations of potentially life-saving cardiac treatments are becoming commonplace and almost predictable. Patients and their families need this crisis to end quickly. yeah.

“If you are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, do not hesitate to call 999. It is still the best course of action and could save your life.”

why our hearts need more