Mum fears heart failure as waiting list for treatment reaches record breaking high
L-R Angela Kenny with sister Teresa Robertson / Credit: Angela Kenny
A mother is scared as she could suffer from heart failure as the Scotland’s cardiology waiting list reaches a record high.
A care assistant Angela Kenny, 57, from Clackmannanshire has been unable to work since September 2023 whilst she is waiting for heart treatment.
The mother of three is suffering from atrial fibrillation and has been told that she may have a long wait before she could be treated.
Mrs Kenny said: “They said I might wait 8-9 weeks for another cardioversion, but I’ve been living with this for four months already.”
If the cardioversion doesn’t work then Mrs Kenny may need an ablation.
Mrs Kenny added: “The cardiologist told me waiting time for ablation in our area is between 9 and 10 months.
“I have constant palpitations, am breathless, tired and dizzy.
“I’m anxious because the longer this goes on the more damage there could be to my heart, and it could ultimately cause heart failure.”
This comes as the British Heart Foundation has released a report revealing that waiting times are at their highest level in Scotland.
The charity have hit out at “chronic underfunding” for the NHS by the Scottish Government.
Johnathan Roden, policy and public affairs manager for BHF Scotland, said: “For 60 years, deaths from heart disease were on the decline in Scotland, in part thanks to the medical breakthroughs funded by the BHF, but worryingly that trend has reversed.
“Over the last 10 years, dedicated, world-leading health professionals have worked with the Scottish Government to develop plans to improve heart disease services, but these plans have been repeatedly held back by chronic underinvestment.
“Cardiology services are under more pressure than ever, and more patients are waiting longer than ever, which is leading to poorer patient outcomes.
“The Scottish Government needs to act now and invest in cardiology services, to tackle the trend of increasing cardiac deaths, including coronary heart disease, which is still Scotland’s biggest killer.”
For more information, please go to the British Heart Foundation site.
