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Heartline Magazine July - September 2007
Barbadian heart patients not accessing cardiac
rehabilitation
services.
 By Professor Trevor Hassell
55% of Barbadians are overweight or obese,
20% of Barbadians are hypertensive and 17% are diabetic. One
Barbadian every day suffers a stroke. Heart disease is a
significant source of ill health and premature death and a major
contributor to the epidemic of chronic non communicable
diseases.
International evidence indicates that heart
patients who do not take part in a cardiac rehabilitation
programme are 25% more likely to die within the next 2 -5 years
than those who have had cardiac rehabilitation.
Cardiac rehabilitation is a programme in
which persons who have had a heart event such as a heart attack,
angina, heart surgery, pacemaker implantation, poor circulation
to the legs, and heart failure, receive counselling about the
disease process and how to manage it. Additionally, persons in
the rehabilitation programme are counselled on nutrition and on
appropriate use of medications, begin an exercise programme, are
assisted in modifying the risk factors of diabetes,
hypertension, high blood cholesterol, physical inactivity,
smoking and obesity, and are provided with emotional support and
given vocational guidance to enable return to work.
It is estimated that 80% of Barbadians who
have had a heart event do not receive or benefit from cardiac
rehabilitation despite the fact that this service is made
available by the Ministry of Health free of cost for all
indigent heart patients attending the Queen Elizabeth Hospital
and is provided at the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Barbados.
Barbadians with heart problems should be
encouraged to enroll in the cardiac rehabilitation programme at
the Heart & Stroke Foundation, and should enquire from their
doctor whether or not they are suitable candidates to benefit
from cardiac rehabilitation, or telephone the Foundation to seek
this information. Referral to, and participation in, a cardiac
rehabilitation programme is anticipated to improve quality of
life and lead to increased life span.
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