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Heart attack patients 'at risk' Heart attack patients 'at risk'
(about 8 hours later)
Scottish heart organisations claim lives are being put at risk because people with heart failure are not being given proper treatment.Scottish heart organisations claim lives are being put at risk because people with heart failure are not being given proper treatment.
The British Heart Foundation Scotland and Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland claim only a tiny percentage of some sufferers are offered rehabilitation.The British Heart Foundation Scotland and Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland claim only a tiny percentage of some sufferers are offered rehabilitation.
The groups are behind a campaign urging better access to rehabilitation, which costs £600 per patient.The groups are behind a campaign urging better access to rehabilitation, which costs £600 per patient.
The treatment reduces mortality by 30% over 10 years.The treatment reduces mortality by 30% over 10 years.
However, it is claimed that just 3% of people in Scotland with angina, and 1% with heart failure, are offered cardiac rehabilitation, which includes a specially tailored programme of education sessions and supervised exercise.However, it is claimed that just 3% of people in Scotland with angina, and 1% with heart failure, are offered cardiac rehabilitation, which includes a specially tailored programme of education sessions and supervised exercise.
Campaigners say rehab could reduce the need for heart bypasses, which cost £8,000, reduce unnecessary and expensive rehospitalisation and improve fitness and wellbeing.Campaigners say rehab could reduce the need for heart bypasses, which cost £8,000, reduce unnecessary and expensive rehospitalisation and improve fitness and wellbeing.
When someone suffers a heart problem - be it angina, a heart attack or heart failure - they not only suffer a damaged heart but often a damaged spirit as well Ben McKendrick British Heart FoundationWhen someone suffers a heart problem - be it angina, a heart attack or heart failure - they not only suffer a damaged heart but often a damaged spirit as well Ben McKendrick British Heart Foundation
British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland recognises Scotland has made great progress in providing cardiac rehab for some heart patients - about 60% of those who have had heart attacks or cardiac bypass surgery and are suitable for rehabilitation receive it.British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland recognises Scotland has made great progress in providing cardiac rehab for some heart patients - about 60% of those who have had heart attacks or cardiac bypass surgery and are suitable for rehabilitation receive it.
However, Ben McKendrick, policy and public affairs manager at British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland, insisted that all suitable patients should have access to rehabilitation programmes. However, Ben McKendrick, policy and public affairs manager at BHF Scotland, insisted that all suitable patients should have access to rehabilitation programmes.
He said: "Cardiac rehab saves lives, but there is an unacceptable gulf between the levels of support offered to patients with different heart conditions.He said: "Cardiac rehab saves lives, but there is an unacceptable gulf between the levels of support offered to patients with different heart conditions.
"When someone suffers a heart problem - be it angina, a heart attack or heart failure - they not only suffer a damaged heart but often a damaged spirit as well."When someone suffers a heart problem - be it angina, a heart attack or heart failure - they not only suffer a damaged heart but often a damaged spirit as well.
"Heart patients tell us that cardiac rehab helps mend that spirit and put them on the road to living a full life again.""Heart patients tell us that cardiac rehab helps mend that spirit and put them on the road to living a full life again."
Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland's chief executive, David Clark, added: "Cardiac rehab should be fully recognised as being central to the treatment and care of all heart patients who might benefit. Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland's chief executive, David Clark, added: "Cardiac rehab should be fully recognised as being central to the treatment and care of all heart patients who might benefit.
"By the end of 2010, we would like to see every patient who is suitable, and who wants it, having access to a high quality cardiac rehab programme.""By the end of 2010, we would like to see every patient who is suitable, and who wants it, having access to a high quality cardiac rehab programme."