NI heart attack patients at risk of relapse
The British Heart Foundation has warned almost half of cardiac arrest survivors here are at risk of a repeat attack, as they are not undergoing rehab.
New research shows the average uptake of cardiac rehabilitation in Northern Ireland was 51% in 2015/16.
According to the charity, that means just under half of patients are missing out on the service, which can cut their risk of readmission and premature death.
The programme aims to lower the risk of a repeated heart attack by offering lifestyle support on diet and exercise to patients.
Studies show participation reduces the risk of dying by 18% in the first year following referral.
It can also cut re-admissions by nearly a third.
Karen McCammon is the health lead at the British Heart Foundation:
"41% of patients eligible for cardiac rehab have had rehab, unfortunately that means that 3000 patients have missed out.
"Cardiac rehab is a hugely important treatment following a cardiac event.
"You don't want anybody to miss out on any important treatment.
"If people are being prescribed medication and having other procedures, cardiac rehab should be right up there with that, it is just as important and it's essential that everyone that's had a cardiac event is able to access it."
The charity says the figures represent a 3% drop in the amount of patients taking up the service in the previous year.
Karen said there could be a number of factors affecting the numbers:
"We know that there are variations throughout Northern Ireland with some trusts performing better than others.
"I suppose we could surmise that some of the reasons may be the lack of access to services, some of the times don't suit people, sometimes there's not enough capacity in the service to meet everybody."
The research revealed that Northern Ireland had the biggest improvement in patients' meeting physical activity guidelines post rehab of 150 minutes per week from 28% to 41%.
That's 41% higher than England and Wales.
Karen said it proves that the services can be life saving:
"We know that rehab is vitally important in someone's recovery.
"It actually reduces their risk of death by a fifth and cuts their likelihood of readmission by a third.
"We know that people who took part in cardiac rehab were more likely to meet physical activity guidelines and less likely to smoke so it improved their life overall."
The charity has called for more funding for the service in Northern Ireland in order for all patients to access the programme:
"It needs to be funded appropriately.
"There is work being done at the minute by various people looking into how we can make it better but if you compare it to other services, it is under funded here.
"I think the Department of Health needs to ensure that the cardiac rehab service is funded adequately, needs to pay attention to it and recognise that it is as important as other aspects of cardiac care and needs to ensure that it's resourced appropriately."