Survival and support
Thousands of heart failure patients may have missed out on treatment
A drastic drop in hospital admissions among heart failure patients during the first wave of the pandemic could mean that thousands did not get the care they urgently need.
Our analysis found that there were 117,170 heart failure hospital admissions in England between January and September 2019. However, this fell to 91,700 during the same period in 2020, representing a 22% drop.
In normal circumstances, a fall in hospital admissions might seem like progress, as it could mean people have been getting care outside of hospital. While some patients may be receiving treatment in the community, we fear that others may be missing out, as our Heart Helpline has heard reports from patients who have not been able to access their care.
Fear of Covid-19
We believe that patients may be fearful of catching Covid-19 and do not want to add pressure on the NHS, which could be contributing towards a decrease in admissions. However, a lack of treatment could mean that people living with the condition could experience worse symptoms.
The redeployment of many heart failure nurses during the pandemic, alongside other changes in services, may have also resulted in many people living with heart failure not being able to access check-ups or receive personalised medications as easily.
Invisible to the system
As the pandemic recedes, the BHF is calling for the Government and health systems to resume and improve heart failure services as a matter of urgency.
Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, our Medical Director, said: “The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has been an anxious and isolating time for many people living with heart failure. We know the health service is working extremely hard to treat all patients, but our analysis suggests some patients may have fallen through the cracks and become invisible to the system.
“Now, as we come out of the pandemic, is the time to focus on resuming and improving care, so people with heart failure are able to have a better quality of life, for longer.
“To achieve this, every level of the health system needs to be joined up and the best possible information shared to improve health outcomes for people with heart failure. The pandemic has made people approach care and treatment in a different, often more digital way, and we need to grasp the benefits for patients and the health service alike. At the same time, any shift in the way we deliver care must not exacerbate health inequalities.”
Increased concerns
Barbara Kobson is one of our Senior Cardiac Nurses. Part of her role is to support people who contact the charity’s Heart Helpline with concerns about their heart or circulatory conditions. The helpline was contacted 17,530 times between March and June 2020, compared to just 7,000 times during the same period the year before.
She said: “Thousands of people with heart and circulatory diseases are understandably worried about the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on their care, making last year our busiest ever.
“Many people with heart failure rang to tell us that they haven’t been able to access the treatment and care they need and have had appointments cancelled because of the pandemic. This is particularly concerning as delayed treatment could mean their condition gets worse.
“If you have heart failure and are feeling unwell or your symptoms change or worsen, it’s important you seek medical advice. However, if you have severe difficulty breathing, or experience sudden or severe symptoms, then you must immediately call 999. Remember that the NHS is still open for emergencies and is there to help you.”
The BHF, together with the British Society for Heart Failure, today (March 22) hosted a virtual event to raise awareness of heart failure among MPs.