Warning on cardiovascular winter deaths

Thursday December 20th, 2018

Excess winter deaths from cardiovascular diseases have been increasing exponentially in the last few years, researchers report today.

In two years the number of these excess deaths has doubled – increasing by nearly 50% each winter, according to the British Heart Foundation analysis.

The charity called for rates of flu vaccination to be increased, pointing to last year’s problems with the vaccine as being a contributory factor.

The excess deaths may also reflect the impact of growing pressure on services.

The analysis finds that out of 50,000 extra deaths last winter, 11,500 were linked to cardiovascular diseases. This compared with 5,800 two years previously.

About 8,500 of last winter’s deaths involved people over the age of 75.

Christopher Allen, from the foundation, said: “Last winter took a grim toll on people with heart and circulatory diseases, and shows just how important high uptake of an effective flu jab is.

“We know that flu vaccines can reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in people living with coronary heart disease by around a quarter, so it is absolutely vital that people living with these conditions protect themselves.”

Tags: Elderly Health | Flu & Viruses | Heart Health | UK News

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