Imogen Blake

Bury St

Health & policy media things @thebhf. Ex journo. I chat health, Taylor Swift and #itfc. She/her, views own. [email protected]

Articles

'Worst start to a decade for heart health for 50 years' warning as we launch new strategy

1 month ago | bhf.org.uk | Imogen Blake

The UK’s heart health has declined more quickly at the start of the 2020s than in any other decade for over 50 years, we've warned today. Jojo Clark with husband Matthew and their two children. Matthew died of a heart attack in 2023New analysis shows there has been a rise in the rate and number of deaths in working-age adults aged 20-64 from cardiovascular disease in the UK.
Heart care waiting list rises again in England

Mar 13, 2025 | bhf.org.uk | Imogen Blake

The heart care waiting list rose yet again in January 2025, latest figures from NHS England show. There were 425,398 people waiting for ‘routine’ cardiac care in England at the end of January, up from 423,245 in December 2024. Since January 2024, the heart care waiting list has risen by 4 per cent (17,337). The list has more than doubled since January 2021, when it stood at 200,066.
Veteran pays for heart surgery with pension to avoid NHS delays

Feb 26, 2025 | bhf.org.uk | Imogen Blake

A Royal Navy veteran who paid over £25,000 for heart surgery to avoid NHS delays is supporting our campaign to fix an “unprecedented crisis” in cardiovascular care. Photo: ABNM PhotographyEx-weapons engineer Neil Wogan, 52, from Wigan, first went to the GP in May 2023 as he had a feeling of tight pressure in his chest. He had an ECG within a few weeks, but he didn’t find out if it had identified a problem, and he had to wait four months to see a cardiologist.
Heart care waiting list rises, bucking trend

Feb 20, 2025 | bhf.org.uk | Imogen Blake

The heart care waiting list rose in December 2024, despite a fall in the overall list for treatment and care, latest figures show. Today’s figures show that there are now 423,245 people waiting for ‘routine’ cardiac care, up from 420,589 in November. Since the start of 2024, the heart care waiting list has risen by 4 per cent (17,285). The list has more than doubled since December 2020, when it stood at 197,938.
50 ways to boost your income during cost of living crisis

Jan 9, 2025 | thesun.ie | Imogen Blake |Sara Benwell |Sam Walker |Ellie Smitherman

YOU can boost your bank account with dozens of side hustles, tricks and tips. The cost of living remains an issue for millions of households. Research by the Living Wage Foundation in October 2024 revealed many of Britain's 3.7million low paid workers were still struggling with everyday costs. The foundation said 42% of low paid workers had less than £10 left each week to cover essential expenses while 39% had used a food bank in the preceding 12 months.
Average ambulance waits for heart attacks and strokes rise to 42 minutes

Nov 14, 2024 | bhf.org.uk | Imogen Blake

Average ambulance response times for heart attacks and strokes were 42 minutes in October, latest NHS England data reveals. This is a rise from an average of 36 minutes for category 2 calls in September and is the worst monthly average for 2024 so far. It breaches the amended NHS England average response target for category 2 calls of 30 minutes for 2024/25.
Heart care waiting lists grows to record high again in England

Oct 10, 2024 | bhf.org.uk | Imogen Blake

Latest NHS England figures published today show that the heart care waiting list rose to a record high of 428,067 in August for the ninth month in a row – an increase of over 913 on the previous month. The number of people waiting over four months for time-critical cardiac care also rose to 175,322 from 170,518 in July. The latest rise means that a joint-record 41 per cent of people on the cardiac care waiting list in England are waiting longer than the maximum target treatment time of 18 weeks.
40% of heart care waits are longer than 18-week treatment target

Aug 8, 2024 | bhf.org.uk | Imogen Blake

Latest NHS England figures published today show that the number of people waiting over four months for time-critical heart care rose to a record high of 169,066 in June 2024 in England. The latest rise means that 40 per cent of people on the cardiac care waiting list in England are waiting longer than the maximum target treatment time of 18 weeks. The longer people wait for treatment, the higher their risk of becoming disabled from heart failure or dying prematurely.
Heart care waiting list grows by nearly 100,000 in two years in England

Jun 13, 2024 | bhf.org.uk | Imogen Blake

Latest NHS England figures published today show that cardiac waiting lists rose to 419,039 at the end of April 2024 in England – an increase of 4,443 on the previous month. This is the highest total on record. The heart care waiting list has grown by nearly 100,000 people since April 2022 when the waiting list was at 319,454 – a rise of 32 per cent.
Action now could avoid up to 11,000 CVD deaths a year by 2035

Jun 9, 2024 | bhf.org.uk | Imogen Blake

Up to 11,000 early deaths a year from heart and circulatory diseases could be avoided by 2035 in England with the help of a heart disease action plan, according to our analysis. In a report released today, the charity is calling for a bold package of measures that could help to reduce early death and disability from cardiovascular disease. These include reducing waits for heart treatment and care, addressing obesity and smoking, tackling health inequalities, and powering research and innovation.