Heart Foundation welcomes funding pledge to support heart patients in Tasmania

A returned majority Liberal Government will commit $600,000 to the Heart Foundation to support Tasmanian patients following their hospitalisation for a heart attack or angina.

On average, more than 8,000 Tasmanians are admitted to hospital every year with a heart attack. Without ongoing recovery support and management, heart attack survivors are at greater risk of having a second attack and/or dying, particularly within the first 12 months.

Heart Foundation Tas CEO Kellie-Ann Jolly said that survivors initially underestimate the support they need.

“Survivors confirm that their greatest concerns are fear of having another attack, fear of dying, not being able to return to normal family life, and work and/or financial issues.

“Feeling down after a heart attack is so common there’s a name for it: ‘the cardiac blues’. Rates of major depressive disorder of around 15% have been reported in people after a heart attack.

“We must help people living with cardiovascular disease by ensuring that they have access to the information and support they need to manage their condition and improve their quality of life.

“The Heart Foundation has tools, support programs and a dedicated Helpline to help patients manage their heart health and recover from their heart attack,” said Ms Jolly.  

Heart Foundation data shows that Tasmania scores poorly in heart health. Ms Jolly said that we rank at or near the top in fatalities and hospitalisations from heart problems.

“We are second only to the Northern Territory in death rates from coronary heart disease. Our risk factors are among the highest in the country – we top the chart in obesity, we have the second-highest smoking rate, and we’re third poorest when it comes to physical inactivity and high blood pressure.

“The funding will help the Heart Foundation care for people who suffer a heart event, and will help to avoid further deaths,” she said.