This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Fewer heart attacks seen by NHS during pandemic
Research shows that hospital admissions for heart attacks dropped by a third across England when coronavirus took off in the UK and the nation went into lockdown.
According to The Lancet Journal, 5,000 fewer people than expected were seen and treated for urgent heart symptoms by the end of May. The findings are likely to be the latest in a long list of patients being discouraged from seeking urgent medical help because of fear and anxiety caused by coronavirus.
From mid-February and throughout March 2020 - when cases of coronavirus started to affect the UK - there were about 2,000 hospital admissions for suspected heart attacks and angina a week. Admissions started to rise during April and May 2020 but were still below the 2019 average, of 3,000.
Marion Mafham, from the University of Oxford, who led the study, said: "Our study shows that far fewer people with heart attacks have attended hospital during this pandemic. It is important that anyone with chest pain calls an ambulance immediately, because every minute of delay increases the risk of dying or experiencing serious complications from a heart attack."
Nick Linker, NHS national clinical director for heart disease, said: "NHS staff pulled out all the stops to treat over 100,000 people for coronavirus in hospitals during the pandemic. But they also made sure that everyone who needed urgent and emergency treatment for other conditions - including for heart attacks and strokes - could get it in a safe way.
"While it's good news that since the peak more people are now coming forward with heart problems, and A&E visits are closer to usual levels, our message to the public continues to be heart attacks are a medical emergency and can be fatal, so help us help you, and call 999 right away."
Latest News
16/02/2024 - 12:56
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has created a new alliance intended to clean dirty air and improve residents' health.
16/02/2024 - 10:44
Two million more GP appointments a month are being delivered for patients compared to the same month before the pandemic as part of the NHS primary care access recovery plan according to new NHS data.
15/02/2024 - 10:26
The Welsh Government has provided innovation funding of £380,000 to support two projects utilising technology in domiciliary care.
15/02/2024 - 10:13
The new Scottish health secretary has met with frontline staff at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
14/02/2024 - 10:27
The North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) has appointed three new Executive Directors to the Trust Board.
Product Features
UK Building Regulations highlight toxic gas and smoke from layers of paint built up over multiple redecorations as a major cause of permanent ill health or death in a building fire.
Their concern rose with discovery the flame retardant paints most widely used paint along escape routes have been ones which to this day counter-productively use emission of heavy toxic gas to smother flames which rapidly spread along walls if layers of paint delaminate in a fire.
Supplier Profiles
Northwich’s Victoria Infirmary (VIN) Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) has enabled more patients
Adveco, the commercial hot water specialist, announces the launch of live metering of domestic ho
Latest Features
Sarah Greenslade, public affairs and communications officer at the British Parking Association looks at some of the problems and innovations in healthcare parking
It’s easy to assume that the comms team is there to handle press enquiries and the occasional social media storm – but the reality is that strategic communications can make a measurable impact across the entire organisation, from operational to financial, when done properly
