Heart disease and strokes have killed 100K more than expected since Covid

HEART disease and strokes have killed nearly 100,000 more people than expected since Covid struck.

The surge in excess deaths after March 2020 is linked to the virus and NHS crisis, a charity says.

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And the toll is likely to carry on rising without action, adds the British Heart Foundation.

It found the conditions were mentioned on 52,000 more death certificates than expected in the pandemic’s first 12 months.

As Covid deaths fell in years two and three, the number stayed above expected levels.

Mounting waiting lists, worsened by the pandemic, and the crisis in A&E have left fewer people diagnosed and treated quickly enough, the BHF says.

Those with a heart condition are more likely to suffer severe complications with Covid, especially if unvaccinated.

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, of the BHF, said: “For years now, it has been clear we are firmly in the grip of a heart and stroke care emergency.

“If little changes, we could continue to see a sustained rise in death rates from cardiovascular conditions that undoes decades of scientific progress.”

Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, also of the BHF, said: “Covid no longer fully explains the significant numbers of excess deaths involving cardiovascular disease.

“Other major factors are likely contributing, including extreme and unrelenting pressure on the NHS over the last few years.”

Miriam Deakin, of NHS Providers, said: “Overstretched services strive to see patients as quickly as possible in the face of growing demand.”