Latest Government figures show a better than average variety of deaths last month. Dementia was the most important killer in England and heart disease in Wales. Covid deaths plummeted, nonetheless, prompting a testing expert to call for routine dementia and heart screening to match the success of the UK’s Covid testing campaign.

It’s official: Covid’s disappearance from England’s top ten list of UK killers is ‘statistically significant’, say scientists. Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show Covid was answerable for just 1.5% of all deaths in England and Wales within the week ending 16 June. It also dropped from being England’s eighth largest killer in April to thirteenth in May. Last month, Covid killed 785 people in England, tumbling from 1,260 deaths in April.

Nevertheless, a number one testing expert says that this success shouldn’t disguise the undeniable fact that deaths for the 12 months to this point are 7.6% above average in England and up 6.5% in Wales. The leading killers are dementia/Alzheimer’s in England, and heart disease in Wales.

Leading testing expert, Dr Avinash Hari Narayanan (MBChB), Clinical Lead at London Medical Laboratory, says: ‘We may need won the Covid battle for now, however the UK is removed from winning the health war. In England, dementia/Alzheimer’s was the leading reason behind death for the twenty third month in a row in May. It claimed 4,872 lives last month – that’s 97.9 lives per 100,000 people. In Wales, ischaemic (higher referred to as coronary) heart disease was the leading reason behind death for the second month. 319 people died of this generally treatable condition in Wales during May – that’s 106.8 deaths per 100,000 people.

‘There’s little doubt that the Covid screening programme throughout the pandemic helped reduce the virus’ spread while vaccines were developed.  Why hasn’t there been an analogous effort within the face of dementia and heart disease? Dementia has been the leading killer in England for 2 years now, but there’s been no surge in testing. Likewise, there was no movement just like the UK’s Covid response to tackle the doubtless devastating impact of heart disease. That is despite the actual fact it’s such a treatable condition if caught early.

‘While coronary heart disease isn’t reversable, it’s definitely manageable. If detected in good time, lifestyle changes, medication and, if needed, surgery significantly reduce the probabilities of problems equivalent to heart attacks.

‘Similarly, the Alzheimer’s Society says timely diagnosis helps people make vital decisions about treatment, support and care. Earlier diagnosis helps individuals with this disease live in addition to possible and manage symptoms. It’s small wonder that, in a recent Alzheimer’s Society survey, three out of 5 people with dementia wish they’d got a diagnosis sooner. 

‘That’s why the UK needs universal screening for heart disease, ideally from the age of fifty onwards, and dementia/Alzheimer’s from the age of 65.

‘Testing for ischaemic/coronary heart disease must be routine. A straightforward blood pressure and cholesterol level blood test can detect if heart disease is a possibility. That can result in further tests and, if needed, treatments.

‘Testing for dementia/Alzheimer’s can be relatively easy. A GP, or other health surgery skilled, will take a private and medical history and refer to someone who knows the patient well, in the event that they are showing symptoms. Also they are prone to perform a physical examination and undertake a cognitive assessment. Once more, blood testing is important. That is to examine for other conditions that could possibly be causing similar symptoms, equivalent to thyroid problems or vitamin deficiencies.

‘For each dementia and heart disease, blood testing is crucial, either in detecting high ‘bad’ levels of cholesterol or in eliminating other conditions that may be mistaken for dementia/Alzheimer’s. Blood tests can assist discover many conditions early, which is particularly useful for diseases that are usually not routinely screened for yet within the UK.

‘After all, people don’t need to wait for a physician’s appointment to get a blood test. London Medical Laboratory’s General Health Profile blood test provides a comprehensive check-up of general health, including diabetes (HbA1c), gout, liver & kidney function, bone health, iron levels and a full cholesterol profile. It may be taken at home through the post, or at considered one of the numerous drop-in clinics that provide these tests across London and nationwide in over 95 chosen pharmacies and health stores.

Source:

London Medical Laboratory