Number of heart attacks detected falls 40pc during the pandemic

By Laura Donnelly HEALTH EDITOR THE number of heart attacks detected and treated fell by 40 per cent during the pandemic, research suggests.

The detailed study of patients in cardiac units in Scotland follows UK data showing deaths from the most common type of attack rose by the same proportion.

The research shows that the number of patients attending cardiac services with signs of a heart attack fell by more than 50 per cent in the first month of lockdown at two units in Scotland.

The numbers seen for alarm-bell symptoms – such as chest pain and breathlessness – fell by 53 per cent, in the first month of lockdown. Similarly, the number diagnosed with a heart attack fell by 40 per cent.

The study, published in the online journal Open Heart, researched cardiology services in Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary and Golden Jubilee National Hospital in Clydebank both before and after lockdown.

The number of patients referred to cardiology outpatient clinics fell by 80 per cent and, as a result, face-to-face clinics dropped by 93 per cent.

There was also a significant fall in the number of acute cardiac tests performed, and an 87 per cent reduction in some types of cardiograms.

Earlier this month, a major study found lockdown deaths from the most common type of heart attack rose by almost 40 per cent. It prompted warnings that the Government’s “stay at home” message may have had a “devastating” impact by deterring thousands of patients in crisis from seeking help.

The study, led by the University of Leeds, tracked more than 50,000 patients who had a heart attack and were treated at 99 major hospitals in England before or during lockdown.

It found that, overall, numbers being treated for the most common type of heart attack – caused by a partial blockage – fell by 49 per cent in the two months from March 23. Deaths from such attacks rose by 39 per cent in the month after lockdown.

Overall, the study suggests that around 2,000 fewer patients received treatment for heart attacks during eight weeks of lockdown.

Separately, analysis has warned that the NHS has a “hidden waiting list” of 15.3 million patients who need follow-up appointments. The official waiting list stands at 3.9million, but only shows patients who are yet to have their first hospital appointment after a GP referral.

Healthcare company Medefer asked NHS trusts how many patients needed a follow-up appointment but are not captured in the official list. After one in seven responded, they used the data to predict that more than 15 million are currently waiting for an appointment, according to The Times.