Having a heart attack can be a life-changing event. Many people believe that once they leave the hospital, the worst is over.
But doctors say recovery does not end when a patient goes home. In fact, the weeks and months after a serious heart problem are often one of the most important periods for protecting long-term health.
New research from Monash University has found that many Australians are missing out on a treatment that could save their lives. The study showed that people who do not attend cardiac rehabilitation programs after a serious heart event are four times more likely to die from another heart-related problem than those who complete the program.
The findings were published in the International Journal of Cardiology. Researchers say the results highlight a major gap in Australia’s heart care system and suggest that hundreds of thousands of people may not be receiving the support they need.
Cardiac rehabilitation is a structured recovery program designed for people who have experienced heart attacks and other serious heart conditions. The programs usually run for six to eight weeks and combine several forms of support.
Patients receive education about heart health, guidance on taking medications properly, supervised exercise programs, and help dealing with emotional challenges that often follow heart disease.
Many people who have had heart attacks experience anxiety, fear, and depression. They may worry about exercising again or feel uncertain about how to return to normal activities. Cardiac rehabilitation helps people regain confidence while teaching them practical ways to lower their risk of future heart problems.
The Monash-led study examined the records of more than 7,100 Victorian patients treated at 13 public hospitals between 2019 and 2021. By linking hospital data with outpatient records, researchers were able to follow patients after they left the hospital and determine who participated in rehabilitation programs.
The results were striking. Patients who attended cardiac rehabilitation had lower death rates and fewer unexpected hospital admissions during the following year. The benefits also increased as people attended more sessions.
Researchers grouped patients into three categories. Some did not attend any sessions, some attended only a few sessions, and others completed six or more sessions. The study found a direct relationship between attendance and outcomes. People who completed the full program had the best results.
Despite these benefits, participation rates were very low. Only about one in five eligible cardiac patients in Victoria attended rehabilitation programs. This means that many people are potentially missing an opportunity to improve their health and lower their risk of future heart attacks.
The researchers found that certain patients were more likely to attend. These included people younger than 64 years old, those who lived with family members, people who had more severe forms of heart disease, and those who had spent longer periods in the hospital after their heart event.
The study also explored why attendance remains poor. One major reason is that many patients are never referred to rehabilitation programs. Previous research from the same team found that less than half of eligible Australians are referred after a serious cardiac event.
Even among people who receive referrals, many do not fully understand how important rehabilitation can be. Some may feel well enough to skip the program, while others may have difficulty accessing services because of work commitments, transportation problems, or confusion about the healthcare system.
Researchers also point to gaps between hospital care and outpatient services. Once patients leave the hospital, there may not be clear communication or follow-up to ensure they enroll in rehabilitation.
The findings are especially important because heart disease remains one of the leading causes of illness and death in Australia. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Australians experience heart problems that place them at risk of future cardiac events.
The study suggests that improving participation in cardiac rehabilitation could have a major impact on public health. Increasing referrals, educating patients about the benefits, and making programs easier to access may save lives and reduce healthcare costs.
The research also highlights a broader issue in Australia. Unlike several other countries, Australia does not have a national cardiac rehabilitation registry. This means there is limited information about how patients move from hospital care to long-term recovery programs.
The study provides strong evidence that cardiac rehabilitation should not be seen as an optional extra after a heart attack. Instead, it appears to be an essential part of treatment.
Completing a rehabilitation program may greatly improve a person’s chances of returning to a healthier, more active life and may significantly reduce the risk of dying from another heart event.
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Source: Monash University.
