A study published by the British Medical Journal online (D. Pagano et al) has revealed that people from areas of social deprivation have significantly worse outcomes following cardiac surgery and concluded that social deprivation independently predicted the risk of dying following cardiac surgery.
In response, Dr Mike Knapton, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), said: “Despite 10 years of progress, people from deprived areas still disproportionately shoulder the burden of cardiovascular disease. We should be aiming to reduce the level of deaths across the country to the current level in south east England or below. “This study highlights the fact that it is not enough to provide heart patients with high quality surgery, we also need excellent pre-operative care and cardiac rehabilitation to address inequalities in health. Cardiac rehabilitation is a lifesaving and cost-effective treatment, yet many patients still do not get access to it – a major piece of unfinished business. We need a joined up approach from Government and health services.”
