Half of heart attack survivors fail to get vital rehab, charity says

Half of heart attack survivors are missing out on a potentially life-saving rehabilitation service, a charity says.

The British Heart Foundation found the average uptake of cardiac rehabilitation was 51%, or 68,500 people, in 2015-16.

This means that just under half of patients are missing out on a programme that can cut their risk of readmission and premature death, the charity said.

The programme is usually offered by a multi-disciplinary team, including nurses. It offers patients physical, emotional and lifestyle support, including exercise classes and dietary advice, to help them lower their risk of a future heart attack.

Reduces readmissions

Previous studies have shown participation reduces the risk of dying by 18% in the six to 12 months following referral and can cut readmissions by nearly a third.

Researchers from the University of York analysed data from hundreds of rehabilitation centres in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Their findings, published in the charity’s national audit of cardiac rehab, also found a disparity between the numbers of men and women receiving care, with 52% of eligible men taking part in a rehab programme compared with 44% of eligible women.

'It is hugely encouraging that overall more patients are accessing cardiac rehabilitation services, but half of heart attack survivors are still missing out on this potentially life-saving service,' said the charity’s chief executive Simon Gillespie.

Greater risk

'Tens of thousands of people are therefore at greater risk of suffering another deadly heart attack.

'As many women as men have heart attacks, so it is particularly concerning that significantly fewer women are accessing these life-saving services.

'A postcode lottery of care is also evident, with dangerous waiting times to access services in some areas of the country.

'This urgently needs to be addressed so that every patient has access to cardiac rehabilitation to improve their physical and mental well-being.'

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