Hundreds of people with a serious heart condition die annually while waiting for life-saving treatment on NHS waiting lists, new research reveals.
Around 300,000 people in the UK have aortic stenosis (AS), a dangerous but often symptomless disease that weakens the heart’s aortic valve. This valve helps pump blood throughout the body. Without treatment, AS can be fatal. However, early detection and treatment can save lives and help patients return to a normal life.
Despite this, more than 400 people with AS die each year because they cannot access a vital, non-surgical procedure called transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) quickly enough on the NHS.
This finding comes from a survey of waiting times for TAVI at 35 specialist centres across the UK. Heart experts say the data highlights an “unacceptable” death rate in Britain. The country performs far fewer TAVI procedures compared to many other European nations.
Dr. Jon Byrne, a cardiologist at King’s College Hospital in London who led the research, said: “Of all the people on the waiting list for TAVI, 8% died before they received treatment. That 8% equals just over 400 patients a year. This is a significant and worrying figure. While some patients died from other illnesses, many would have survived if treated with TAVI.”
He added that the true number of deaths could be closer to 800 annually. This estimate is because the survey only gathered data from 18 of the 35 centres. AS mostly affects people in their 70s, 80s, and 90s.
The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged that patients are facing long waits. A spokesperson said: “Due to the difficult state the NHS inherited, patients, including those with aortic stenosis, are waiting too long for treatment. Our plan for change is investing in reforms to help the NHS provide faster treatment for everyone, including those waiting for TAVI.”
In a related concern, the British Heart Foundation warned on Monday that the number of people under 65 dying from heart attacks and strokes in the UK is rising, reversing years of progress.
Data shows the death rate for people aged 20-64 from heart problems increased from 49 per 100,000 in 2019 to 55 per 100,000 in 2023. Deaths among working-age adults from heart disease rose 18% over this period, from 18,693 in 2019 to 21,975 in 2023 — about 420 deaths per week.
The charity said factors such as a worsening overall health, growing health inequalities, obesity, and the effects of Covid-19 contribute to this alarming trend.
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