Decline in ultrasound tests in lockdown

About 9,620 fewer heart ultrasound tests were carried out in the North East after lockdown began, the British Heart Foundation has revealed.

Echocardiograms, also known as echo tests, are ultrasound scans that enable doctors to diagnose, give a prognosis, and determine follow-up treatment for a range of heart conditions.

But as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the number of completed echo tests fell by more than 68% across April and May compared to February this year, latest NHS England data has confirmed.

Only 3,995 echo tests were carried out in April and May this year, compared to 13,615 completed in the same months last year.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) says heart patients have been hit doubly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic as long waits for tests like echocardiograms could lead to more deaths from undiagnosed heart conditions.

At the same time, people living with heart and circulatory disease are more likely to develop complications from COVID-19.

Data obtained by the British Heart Foundation shows that in there has been a 64% decrease in the number of echocardiogram tests undertaken from February to May 2020.

In February there were 636 echocardiogram tests undertaken, in April 209 tests and in May 255 tests.

In the decrease in echocardiogram tests was 67%. In February there were 340 tests, in April 78 and in May 149.

While in the decrease was 66%. In February there were 1,364 tests, April 309 tests and in May 622.