Northern Ireland news

07/07/2009

Northern Ireland heart patients missing out on vital support

BHF Northern Ireland urges heart patients to talk about hidden costs

Heart patients and their families in Northern Ireland are missing out on vital support and could be suffering in silence, according to the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Northern Ireland.

The heart charity is concerned about the low number of calls to its Heart HelpLine in Northern Ireland, despite there being more than 75,000 people living with coronary heart disease locally (1). 

Depression is also a common problem in patients following acute cardiac events, and it is estimated that up to 20% of individuals have a major depressive episode within a few weeks, with a further 25% experiencing milder depression (2).  Ensuring heart patients have support is particularly important because inadequate social support can also harm their chances of recovery (3).

To tackle this, the BHF has launched a campaign to get heart patients and their families to seek support and information by calling its Heart HelpLine on 0300 333 1 333. 

BHF Cardiac Nurse Ellen Mason said: “There are hidden costs to heart disease that most people wouldn’t think of – the impact that it can have on their jobs, income, family life, and mental wellbeing. 

“No one should have to deal with all those things without the offer of support, but people often don’t know that their experiences and feelings are normal, or feel they can talk about it.  Anyone concerned about heart disease can call our Heart HelpLine for information and support.”

The BHF’s Heart HelpLine is staffed by cardiac nurses, a bereavement counsellor and heart health advisors to provide lifestyle advice. 

Local heart patient Jimmy Walker, who suffered a heart attack is supporting BHF Northern Ireland’s campaign for people to seek help.

“When I had a heart attack, I got excellent treatment for my medical condition, but it’s all those other things you don’t get help for. 

“I don’t want other people in Northern Ireland to have to go through these things alone, and want them to know that BHF Northern Ireland is there when you need them.”

To get free information and support from BHF Northern Ireland, anyone in the UK can call the Heart HelpLine on 0300 333 1 333 for the price of a local call.