HUGE FEARS OVER HEART CONDITIONS

Helpline calls up 40% amid NHS backlog

- MARTIN BAGOT

RECORD numbers of heart patients are calling a helpline in panic amid a major backlog in NHS operations.

The cardiac waiting list for procedures to prevent issues such as heart attacks and strokes grew again last month to 408,000, marking a 75% rise over the past four years.

And the British Heart Foundation said it has had to double the number of cardiac nurses available to work on its Heart Helpline to cope with calls.