The UK will need rapid action to prevent a huge increase in serious cardiovascular illness following setbacks in treatment caused by the pandemic, a think-tank has warned.
Researchers found a huge drop in new prescriptions of preventative medication, such as statins, last year.
The 470,000 reduction could mean 12,000 additional cases of heart attack and stroke over the next five years, according to the Institute for Public Policy Research.
The research also found a 44% reduction in echocardiograms last year and up to 23,000 missed diagnoses of heart failure.
Referrals to specialists in diabetes and cardiovascular disease have been 25% below expected levels, it found.
The researchers call for a rapid upgrade in NHS digital infrastructure to ensure the “remote revolution” in health care can continue to flourish. They also call for a public health committee of the cabinet.
Researcher Dr Parth Patel said: "The bad news is the pandemic means almost half a million chances to prevent have been missed. This is really alarming. It pits us in a race against time to avoid thousands of deaths in the coming years that would be entirely attributable to the pandemic’s disruptions to normal healthcare services.
“Crucially, these deaths are not inevitable – but avoiding them relies on bold policy now. It is time for the government to match its ‘build back better’ rhetoric with urgent action.”
Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, associate medical director of the British Heart Foundation, said: “The steep decline in heart investigations and so many missed diagnoses will have an impact that will be felt for years to come. What’s more, the pandemic’s true toll on cardiovascular care is still unknown.
“We are already seeing the consequences, with an average of 100 extra heart and stroke deaths in England a week and increasingly stark health inequalities.”
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