Two Years of Life – The Hidden Cost of COVID for Heart Attack Patients

by Manuel Costa
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COVID-19 heart attack patients

A recently published study in the European Heart Journal – Quality of Care and Clinical Outcomes, affiliated with the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), has shed light on the long-lasting impact of the initial COVID-19 lockdown in the UK and Spain on patients who suffered heart attacks. The study reveals that individuals who experienced heart attacks during this period are expected to have their life expectancy reduced by 1.5 years in the UK and 2 years in Spain, compared to those who had heart attacks before the pandemic.

The study, led by Professor William Wijns from the Lambe Institute for Translational Medicine at the University of Galway, Ireland, emphasizes the immediate and long-term negative consequences of restricting treatment for life-threatening conditions, both for individuals and society as a whole. The researchers highlight the importance of implementing contingency plans to ensure the continuity of emergency services during natural disasters or health crises.

During the first wave of the pandemic, a significant decline in the number of heart attack patients seeking hospital care was observed, mainly due to government advisories to stay at home, fear of contracting the virus, and the suspension of certain emergency services. Comparatively, heart attack patients who chose to stay home were more than twice as likely to die, while those who delayed seeking medical attention were nearly twice as likely to experience avoidable complications.

This study aimed to estimate the long-term clinical and economic consequences of reduced heart attack treatment during the pandemic in the UK and Spain. The researchers compared the projected life expectancy of patients who had a heart attack during the first lockdown with those who had a heart attack at the same time the previous year. The analysis focused on ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a condition where a coronary artery is completely blocked. The researchers also assessed the cost implications of STEMI cases during the lockdown compared to the corresponding period before the pandemic.

To estimate long-term survival, quality of life, and costs related to STEMI, the researchers developed a model that took into account factors such as age, hospitalization status, and time to treatment. The study found that hospitalization rates for STEMI patients in the UK dropped from 77% before the pandemic to 44% during the lockdown. In Spain, the rates decreased from 74% to 57%. The analysis also evaluated the number of healthy years lost for STEMI patients before and during the pandemic.

The cost analysis considered various factors, including initial hospitalization and treatment, follow-up care, heart failure management, and productivity loss for patients unable to return to work. For instance, the cost of a STEMI admission with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was estimated at £2,837 in the UK and €8,780 in Spain. The study projected an additional cost of £8,897 per STEMI case in the UK during the pandemic, including costs for the National Health Service and work absenteeism. In Spain, the extra cost per STEMI during the lockdown was estimated at €20,069.

The analysis revealed that patients who experienced a STEMI during the first UK lockdown were expected to lose an average of 1.55 years of life compared to those who had a STEMI before the pandemic. Similarly, in Spain, patients with a STEMI during the lockdown were predicted to lose around 2.03 years of life. Moreover, during their remaining years, these patients were projected to lose approximately one year and two months of life in perfect health in the UK and around one year and seven months in Spain.

The financial implications of reduced access to STEMI treatment during the lockdown were significant. In the UK, the study estimated that the lifetime cost for patients affected by reduced PCI access during the first month of lockdown would amount to an extra £36.6 million (€41.3 million). In Spain, the projected additional cost over the patients’ lifetimes was €88.6 million. The main driver of costs was work absenteeism, although this was partially offset by reduced heart failure hospitalization expenses due to higher mortality rates among STEMI patients during the lockdown.

Professor Wijns emphasizes the need to address the repercussions of delayed or missed care, as patients and societies will bear the consequences of reduced heart attack treatment during even a brief period of lockdown for years to come. He calls for the establishment of resilient healthcare systems capable of swiftly transitioning to emergency plans, ensuring the delivery of lifesaving therapies. Public awareness campaigns should also emphasize the importance of seeking timely medical care, even during pandemics or other crises.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about COVID-19 heart attack patients

What were the findings of the study regarding heart attack patients during the COVID-19 lockdown?

The study revealed that heart attack patients who experienced a heart attack during the initial COVID-19 lockdown in the UK and Spain are expected to have their life expectancy reduced by 1.5 and 2 years, respectively, compared to those who had heart attacks before the pandemic.

What were the reasons behind the reduced life expectancy for heart attack patients during the lockdown?

The reduced life expectancy for heart attack patients during the lockdown was primarily attributed to delayed treatment. Many patients chose to stay home due to fear of contracting the virus or following government advisories. These delays resulted in irreversible damage to the heart muscle and increased the risk of complications and death.

What were the financial implications of reduced heart attack treatment during the pandemic?

The financial implications were significant. In the UK, the study projected an extra cost of £36.6 million (€41.3 million) over the lifetime of patients affected by reduced access to treatment during the first month of lockdown. In Spain, the estimated additional cost was €88.6 million. These costs were primarily due to work absenteeism and productivity loss.

What are the implications of the study’s findings?

The study highlights the immediate and long-term consequences of delaying or missing heart attack treatment. It emphasizes the need for resilient healthcare systems that can adapt to emergencies and ensure the delivery of lifesaving therapies. Public awareness campaigns should stress the importance of seeking timely medical care, even during pandemics or crises, to mitigate the negative impacts on patients and society as a whole.

More about COVID-19 heart attack patients

  • European Heart Journal – Quality of Care and Clinical Outcomes: Link
  • European Society of Cardiology (ESC): Link
  • Lambe Institute for Translational Medicine, University of Galway: Link
  • Science Foundation Ireland: Link
  • We CARE Initiative: Link
  • Medtronic: Link
  • Wing Tech Inc.: Link

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