Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with an estimated 17.9 million deaths per year according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

It is a chronic, non-communicable disease that requires lifelong management and treatment, often including medications. However, recent studies have shown that a crisis has caused medication cut-off for 13% of heart patients.

What is the Crisis?

The crisis referenced here is the COVID-19 pandemic that has swept the world and forced countries to prioritize their healthcare resources.

As countries struggled to deal with the influx of COVID-19 patients, non-emergency procedures and treatment for other conditions were put on hold or reduced in order to free up hospital beds and medical staff. This has left many patients, including heart disease patients, without access to critical medications they need to manage their condition.

The Impact on Heart Patients

Heart disease patients require medication to help manage their condition and reduce the risk of heart attacks or other adverse events. These medications include beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and statins, among others.

Without access to these medications, heart disease patients are at greater risk of experiencing complications or relapses.

A study conducted by the European Society of Cardiology found that of the 3,101 heart disease patients surveyed, 13% reported having their medication either reduced or stopped altogether due to the pandemic.

This is a concerning trend, as it means that millions of heart disease patients worldwide are at greater risk of experiencing complications or even death.

What Can Be Done?

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for better planning and management of healthcare resources in times of crisis.

However, there are steps that can be taken to ensure that heart disease patients are not left without access to critical medications.

First and foremost, healthcare providers need to ensure that heart disease patients are able to access their medications either in person or through remote prescription services.

This may involve increased use of telemedicine or home delivery services to ensure that patients receive the medications they need without having to visit a clinic or hospital.

Additionally, healthcare providers need to prioritize the treatment and management of heart disease patients alongside COVID-19 patients.

This may involve reorganizing hospital resources or increasing the number of medical staff available to treat non-COVID-19 patients.

Finally, governments and healthcare organizations need to work together to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of critical medications for heart disease patients, even in times of crisis.

This may involve increasing stockpiles of medications or working with pharmaceutical companies to ensure that there is a steady supply of medications available.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on healthcare systems around the world, including the treatment and management of heart disease patients.

With 13% of heart disease patients reporting medication cut-off due to the pandemic, it is clear that more needs to be done to ensure that patients are not left without access to critical medications. By working together, healthcare providers, governments, and pharmaceutical companies can ensure that heart disease patients receive the care and treatment they need, even in times of crisis.