Heart failure survival rate discrepancies highlighted by report

Mortality rates among heart failure sufferers in the UK vary greatly depending on the type of care received by patients, according to a new report.

The NHS Information Centre and the British Society for Heart Failure have published the latest National Heart Failure Audit, which involved the analysis of more than 12,000 British patient records.

It was found that 32 percent of heart failure patients will die within a year of being admitted to hospital, a figure which fell to 23 percent among those seen by a cardiologist or who have access to specialist services.

The results also noted that poorer people are more likely to be affected by heart failure earlier in life.

Dr Theresa McDonagh, chair of the British Society for Heart Failure, said the death rate among this patient group is "unacceptably high".

She added: "Outcomes for these patients can be significantly improved by having specialist cardiology input to their care, administration of appropriate evidence-based doses of key drugs and follow-up by specialist services."

Earlier this year, NHS Information Centre figures showed that four of the five most commonly prescribed drugs in England are cardiovascular disease therapies.