Deaths from ischemic heart disease and hip-borne diseases in the United States increased through COVID-19 epidemic over the previous year, and globally, COVID-19 was associated with major complications in disease testing cardiovascular. These findings are from two papers published in the Journal of the American College of Geology studied the indirect effects of pandemic on patients with cardiovascular disease and their care.
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic disease has been significant, but there are also concerns about the indirect impact of pandemic, particularly for patients with heart disease. Many reports have suggested that a large increase in mortality during pandemic with COVID-19 alone is not possible. During the height of home stay orders in the U.S., hospitals reported a decline in the number of patients with heart attack and stroke diagnosed and treated in hospital. It was acknowledged that some patients were scared to contract COVID-19 at a hospital and chose to delay care or not seek care at all for emergencies, including heart attack. The American College of Cardiology released a report and infographic on hospital safety during the COVID-19 pandemic and urged people to seek care immediately if needed.
Cardiovascular deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
In this study, researchers studied whether population-level deaths as a result of cardiovascular causes (ischemic heart disease, heart failure, hip-borne diseases, cerebrovascular disease and other diseases of the circulatory system) changed in the U.S. at the early stage of the pandemic, compared to the same period a year earlier, and if these changes were more pronounced in states that experienced the initial increase of COVID-19 cases.
Using data from the National Center for Health Statistics, researchers looked at death rates from cardiovascular causes in the U.S. from March 18, 2020 – June 2, 2020 (the pandemic) and January 1, 2020 – March 17, 2020 (before the pandemic). ) and compared them with the same times in 2019. They found that deaths from ischemic heart disease and hip-borne diseases increased after the pandemic in 2020, compared to changes across the board. one period in 2019. In contrast, deaths caused by heart failure, cerebrovascular disease or other diseases of the circulatory system did not change nationally. New York City experienced the largest relative increase in deaths from ischemic heart disease (139%) and hip hypertension (164%) during the pandemic. The rest of the state of New York, New Jersey, Michigan and Illinois saw significant increases in deaths due to these conditions, while Massachusetts and Louisiana saw no change in cardiovascular deaths.
“Our findings indicate that the disease may have been transmitted to an indirect hole in patients with
cardiovascular disease, which may result from avoiding hospitals for fear of exposure to the virus, increased health care system pressures and delays in procedures and selective care, ”said Rishi K. Wadhera, MD, MPP, MPhil, lead author of the study, cardiologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. “U.S. public health officials and policymakers should improve public health messages to encourage patients with serious illnesses to seek medical attention. “
International impact of COVID-19 on the diagnosis of heart disease
COVID-19 pandemics caused global healthcare delivery disruption in 2020, including delays in the detection of cardiovascular disease and timely treatment. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer worldwide, and outcomes depend on early and effective diagnosis to determine the best treatment. In this study researchers were trying to determine the total extent of the reductions in heart disease diagnostic procedures in 2020 and how this may affect long-term cardiovascular disease outcomes.
Studies were submitted from 909 outpatient and outpatient centers performing cardiopulmonary bypass
diagnostic procedures in 108 countries. According to researchers, method sizes decreased 42% from March 2019 to March 2020, and 64% from March 2019 to April 2020. Notably, transthoracic echocardiography decreased 59%, transesophageal echocardiography by 76% and pressure tests by 78%. Coronary angiography (invasive or computed tomography) decreased by 55%. Researchers also classified countries into four economic levels (low, medium-low, middle-high and high) and found that a place in a low-income / middle-income country was associated with a further 22% reduction in cardiac procedures and less personal access. defense and telehealth equipment.
These findings raise serious concerns for long-term adverse cardiovascular health outcomes due to a decline in diagnoses. Efforts are needed to give patients better access to cardiovascular diagnosis in this and future pandemics, especially in low- and middle-income countries. “
Andrew J. Einstein, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Cardiologist, Irving Medical Center New York-Presbyterian University / Columbia
Source:
American College of Cardiology