HEART FAILURE

Townsville’s cardiac health among worst in country

A NATIONAL snapshot of heart failure has revealed Townsville is one of the country’s top 10 cardiac hot spots, with more than one in 53 residents living with the debilitating condition.

New analysis released this week maps hot spots where cases are considered “high o or very high” compared with the national average.

It hig highlights how significant the burd burden of heart failure is in areas such as Townsville, which i is home to 3400 people living w with the effect of heart failure. In Townsville, heart failure i is responsible for about 1000 h hospital admissions and 6700 daysd in hospital a year, at a direct annual cost of $ 19 19.7 million.

A NATIONAL snapshot of heart failure has revealed Townsville is one of the country’s top 10 cardiac hot spots, with more than one in 53 residents living with the debilitating condition.

New analysis released this week maps hot spots where cases are considered “high or very high” compared with the national average.

Heart failure happens when the heart is unable to keep up with the demands on it by other organs; usually demands for oxygen and nutrients.

Director of the Australian Catholic University’s Mary MacKillop Research Institute for Health Research and author of the analysis Simon Stewart said heart failure was looming as “the greatest public health issue for our ageing population”.

“Unless the diagnosis, treatment and care of heart failure patients improve, a tidal wave of ageing Australians is set to overrun the nation’s hospital and healthcare system,” Professor Stewart said.

His analysis highlights how significant the burden of heart failure is in areas such as Townsville, which is home to 3400 people living with the effect of heart failure, with a further 400 cases diagnosed every year. In Townsville, heart failure is responsible for about 1000 hospital admis- sions and 6700 days in hospital a year, at a direct annual cost of $ 19.7 million.

Prof Stewart’s analysis – which was funded by Novartis – found heart failure was also rife in other regional areas, including Geelong, Ballarat, Wollongong, Albury, Cairns, Gold Coast, Newcastle and the Central Coast, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

Fairfield Central Medical Practice principal Michael Clements said poor access to GP services was a likely contributor.

“Heart failure is treatable and preventable in a lot of cases if detected early, so proper investments into primary care and building better relationships with GPs should reduce this burden,” Dr Clements said.

“We know that there is poorer access to GP care in regional areas like Townsville compared with urban areas and there continues to be pressure due to Medicare inadequacy because we know more and more people are avoiding seeing their GP.”

He said while some heart conditions were genetic, most could be traced to lifestyle factors including poor levels of activity, diet, poor mental health and alcohol.

“We don’t need a funding solution focusing on providing more cardiologists, we need an episode of care model that focuses on preventive care and intervention, and good access for patients to general practitioners,” he said.

“I’ve seen the hospital making an effort to identity these people who are representing preventable admissions.”

Under the Medicare Benefits Schedule, patients 45 to 49 years who are at risk of developing a chronic disease are entitled to a health assessment

For more information contact your GP.