CardioSTAT is set to help hundreds of cardiac patients in North Wales gain quicker access to ambulatory ECG monitoring.

In response to reduced clinic space and staffing levels resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) are offering approximately 1,300 patients the opportunity to have CardioSTAT heart monitors sent to them in the post, where they can be fitted at home and then sent off to Icentia for analysis without the patients needing to attend one of North Wales’ three District General Hospitals.

Dr Richard Cowell, Lead Consultant Cardiologist for BCUHB said: “The new approach would help meet a growing waiting list for ECG monitoring across the region”. He then went on to say: “There is an increasing number of patients waiting for continuous or prolonged ECG monitoring and some high-risk patients are understandably very worried about attending the hospital. Typically, these patients will have troublesome palpitations, episodes of dizziness or even blackouts.”

Helen Wilkinson, BCUHB Strategic Manager for Cardiac Services said: “We need to be innovative with our diagnostics whilst keeping our patients safe and introducing this partnership with Icentia is the most obvious solution”.