Excess heart deaths

Nearly 100,000 more deaths involving heart conditions and stroke than usual since pandemic began Official excess deaths data Since the pandemic began On average, over 500 additional deaths a week from cardiovascular disease Included cardiovascular and cerebrovascular deaths More excess deaths involving cardiovascular conditions than any other disease groups A total of 96,540 extra cardiovascular deaths since February 2020 In the first year of the pandemic Covid-19 infection drove high numbers of excess deaths, Covid-19 have since fallen year-on-year, the number of deaths involving cardiovascular disease have remained high above expected levels. We believe that there are now other major factors likely driving the continued increase in excess deaths. We’re calling on the UK Government to take charge of the increasingly urgent cardiovascular disease crisis. Dr Charmaine Griffiths, BHF Chief Executive It is deeply troubling that so many more people with cardiovascular disease have lost their lives over the last three years. For years now, it has been clear that we are firmly in the grip of a heart and stroke care emergency. There is no time to waste – Government must take control of this crisis to give heart patients and their loved ones hope of a better and healthier future. Latest figures People waiting for time-sensitive cardiac care, 390,000 Average ambulance response times for heart attacks and strokes, above 30 minutes since the beginning of 2022 (December 2022 they breached 90 minutes) Lack of primary health care Concerns of a potential rise in heart problems linked to Covid-19 People with and without pre-existing heart conditions, who caught Covid-19 before the vaccine roll-out, (i.e., in 2020) 40 % per cent more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, five times more likely to die in the 18 months after infection. BHF wants Prioritisation of NHS heart care Renewed focus on preventing the causes of cardiovascular disease Supercharging cardiovascular research for new treatments and cures Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, (Associate Medical Director) Covid-19 no longer fully explains the significant numbers of excess deaths involving cardiovascular disease. Then focuses on treatment difficulties Iatrogenesis Induced unintentionally by a physician or surgeon or by medical treatment or diagnostic procedures Not mentioned