Action is needed to reduce the “alarming number” of Australians who have repeat heart attacks according to a report published in today’s Medical Journal of Australia.
More than 10,000 people died from a heart attack in 2010 and 53% of these were from a second or subsequent attack.
After having a heart attack, many patients slip into old habits, stop taking their medication and do not make lifestyle changes, say co-authors of the MJA report, Dr Clara Chow and Dr Julie Redfern of The George Institute and the University of Sydney respectively.
“Most people think a heart attack is a one-off. Once it’s happened, it’s passed. But heart disease is a chronic lifelong problem that needs to be managed properly and there is no quick fix solution,” says Dr Redfern.
The report shows that women account for 52% of deaths from repeat heart attacks, with the risk of death from a repeat heart attack for women at 24% compared with 14% for men.
“The health system is failing heart attack survivors even though secondary prevention strategies including taking medicines and leading a health lifestyle can reduce death and future heart attacks.”
The report shows that the cost of repeat heart attacks exceeds $8.4 billion a year, which is half the total cost of all coronary disease.
In response, a national summit of 30 organisations drawn from government, health organisations and survivors of heart attacks has put forward a five point reform plan to reduce repeat heart attacks as well as the cost to the economy – with prevention being the key.
“The federal government could provide payments to get the reform process started and reward payments to state and territory governments on meeting agreed targets,’ says the National Director of Cardiovascular Health for the National Heart Foundation, Dr Rob Grenfell.
“There is a misconception that a stent or bypass is as good as a cure for a heart attack, but that’s simply not the case. The detrimental impact on a person’s quality of life is the untold story.
“Ongoing management is critical and the current system of health care and funding) is simply not geared towards this,” Dr Grenfell says.
Most repeat heart attacks are preventable through the use of PBS funded medication and changes to behaviour. Heart attack survivors receive access to short term rehabilitation programs after a first attack, but preventing a second or subsequent attack is the preferred long term treatment.
The five point reform plan involves:
- a national approach to preventing a secondary heart attack
- bridging the gap between hospital care and primary care once a patient is out of hospital
- increased awareness of services available to survivors to help them
- measuring and monitoring clinical practice improvements
- improved communication to all stakeholders.
For further information on heart attacks and how to help prevent them, see the National Heart Foundation’s www.heartattackfacts.org.au.
If ever you think you are experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack, dial 000 immediately.
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