Recovering from a heart attack involves much more than surviving the emergency itself.
Although modern medicine has greatly improved the treatment of heart disease, many patients remain at high risk of another cardiac event after they leave the hospital.
Doctors have long known that rehabilitation programs can dramatically improve recovery, yet new research shows that most eligible Australians are not taking part.
Researchers led by Monash University have found that attendance at cardiac rehabilitation programs in Victoria is surprisingly low. Their study, published in the International Journal of Cardiology, showed that only about 20 percent of heart patients attended these programs.
The consequences of missing rehabilitation were serious. The study found that people who did not attend any rehabilitation sessions were four times more likely to die from another heart-related event than those who completed the full program.
Cardiac rehabilitation is a specialized recovery service for people who have experienced heart attacks and other major heart conditions. These programs usually last six to eight weeks and include supervised exercise, education about heart disease, advice on healthy lifestyles, and emotional support.
The purpose of rehabilitation is not only to help people recover physically but also to reduce the chances of future problems. Participants learn how to manage risk factors such as high blood pressure, unhealthy eating habits, smoking, and lack of physical activity. They are also supported in returning safely to everyday activities.
The researchers studied more than 7,100 patients from 13 public hospitals across Victoria. By linking hospital information with outpatient health records, they were able to examine what happened to patients during the year after their cardiac event.
The results showed clear benefits among people who attended rehabilitation. They were less likely to die and less likely to require unexpected hospital admissions during the following 12 months.
The researchers also found that the amount of participation mattered. Patients who attended more sessions generally had better outcomes than those who attended only a few. The relationship between attendance and survival was very strong.
The findings suggest that cardiac rehabilitation is one of the most effective ways to support recovery after a serious heart problem. Previous studies have already shown that these programs improve quality of life and reduce the likelihood of future heart attacks while remaining highly cost-effective.
Yet participation remains extremely poor. The researchers estimate that almost 400,000 Australians miss out on cardiac rehabilitation every year.
Why do so many people fail to attend? According to the researchers, the problem is complicated and involves several factors. One major issue is that many patients are not referred to rehabilitation programs by their doctors.
Previous work by the same research team found that referral rates are far from ideal. Without a referral or strong recommendation from healthcare providers, many patients may never realize that rehabilitation exists or understand how important it could be.
Patient understanding is another challenge. Some people feel much better after leaving the hospital and assume they no longer need further care. Others may underestimate their risk of another heart attack or believe that rehabilitation is only necessary for people who are severely ill.
Practical barriers also play a role. Some patients may struggle with transportation, family responsibilities, work schedules, or difficulties navigating different parts of the healthcare system.
The researchers found that younger patients, people living with family members, and those with more severe heart disease were more likely to participate. This suggests that social support and awareness of illness severity may influence decisions about rehabilitation.
The study also highlights shortcomings in Australia’s healthcare system. Unlike countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Austria, and the United States, Australia does not have a national registry for cardiac rehabilitation.
Without such a system, it becomes difficult to track patient participation and identify where improvements are needed.
The findings provide a powerful reminder that treatment for heart disease does not end at hospital discharge. Rehabilitation appears to be a vital part of recovery and may significantly improve survival.
By improving referrals, increasing patient education, and making rehabilitation services easier to access, many more Australians could benefit from a program that has already been shown to save lives.
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Source: Monash University.
