Introduction: The human cost of waiting for heart care
For Scott McKenna, a routine heart check became a seven-year surprise: a diagnosis of heart failure arrived only after years of chest pain, breathlessness, and swelling. Now 58 and living in Scarborough, he faces the prospect of another year before he can see a hospital cardiologist. His experience shines a harsh light on how delays in cardiology services can turn a medical condition into a daily source of anxiety and potential risk.
From initial symptoms to a life-altering diagnosis
McKenna first reported symptoms in 2018, when chest pain, shortness of breath, and leg swelling prompted him to seek help through his GP. He underwent a series of tests but never received the results. It wasn’t until February 2025 that his new GP notified him of a heart failure diagnosis and arranged a cardiology referral. The delay—from first symptoms to formal diagnosis—highlights a fragmented journey many patients face when systems are overloaded or information is incomplete.
The wait for care and the fear of the unknown
The letter McKenna received in July warned of waiting times for cardiology appointments of up to 52 weeks for some patients. He describes a constant fear: with each day, he wonders whether a heart attack could strike, and whether he’ll know what medication to take or when to seek urgent help. That fear extends beyond physical symptoms to mental health, affecting daily life, decisions about work, and relationships with family and friends.
Clinical urgency vs. routine referrals
Hospital systems historically triage based on clinical urgency. Yet when a patient experiences persistent symptoms—breathlessness on stairs, chest pain, edema—the line between routine and urgent can blur. In McKenna’s case, the uncertainty about disease progression compounds the risk, underscoring why timely evaluation by a cardiologist matters for both prognosis and peace of mind.
What the data shows about cardiology waits
Data from the NHS indicates that more than half of cardiology patients at York and Scarborough hospitals waited longer than the target time to begin treatment. The NHS target aims for 92% of non-urgent patients to start first treatment within 18 weeks of referral. In August, only 45% of patients at the York and Scarborough NHS Foundation Trust met this target, compared with the England average of 61%.
Health system voices and patient support
Ruth Goss, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, notes that waiting longer for heart care increases the risk of permanent damage, disability, or premature death, and it can take a toll on mental health. The York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust acknowledged the impact of the pandemic and industrial action on waiting times, while pledging to prioritize care based on clinical need and to inform patients if their health worsens.
The practical implications for patients in limbo
Patients facing long waits must navigate difficult questions: Should they call 999 for worsening symptoms, or wait for a routine appointment? For many, the lack of timely imaging, testing, and specialist input means uncertain treatment plans, unclear medication regimens, and heightened anxiety. Clinicians stress the importance of keeping GPs informed about changes in symptoms so that urgent pathways can be considered if a patient’s condition deteriorates.
Moving forward: strategies to reduce delays and support patients
Experts advocate a multi-pronged approach: expanding capacity in cardiology clinics, enhancing triage efficiency, and improving communication between GPs, hospitals, and patients. The aim is not only to reduce waiting times but also to ensure that patients have a clear, actionable plan for symptom monitoring, medication adherence, and emergency guidance during periods of diagnostic delay.
Conclusion: balancing urgency with compassion in heart care
Scott McKenna’s story is not just about a waiting list—it’s about the real-world consequences of delays in cardiology care. As health systems grapple with backlogs, the priority remains preserving heart health and reducing fear by delivering timely, informed, and compassionate care to every patient who needs it.
