6MAY 2016
One in five people in Europe are at risk of heart failure, the leading cause of hospitalisation in people over 65
6 MAY 2016 – Today, on European Heart Failure Awareness Day, the Heart Failure Policy Network(HFPN) is calling on governments across Europe to commit to improving the lives of people living with heart failure and work towards reducing preventable hospital admissions by signing a Call to Action to change heart failure policy.
One in five people in Europe are at risk of heart failure - a debilitating, chronic condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood around the body to support the needs of other organs. Living with heart failure has been described as ‘living in the shadow of fear’ and it is the leading cause of hospitalisation in people over 65.
But, research has shown that over 50% of unplanned hospital admissions for heart failure can be prevented through better follow-up and transitions of care.
Addressing national heart failure policies not only represents a potential for significant cost savings, more importantly it would have a huge impact on the health outcomes and quality of life for people living with heart failure.
Clinical guidelines for heart failure exist, however many people with heart failure still do not get the right treatment, even when they are admitted to hospital. Evidence has shown that patients have a lower risk of being re-admitted to hospital when they receive input from a cardiologist, evidence-based treatment to help stabilise their condition, and a clear discharge and follow-up plan when they are discharged, to help them self-manage their condition.
The Heart Failure Policy Network is calling on as many people as possible to sign the Call to Action and support the campaign to raise awareness about heart failure. More information available at:
Ends
More about heart failure in Europe
UK
- Approximately 800,000 people live with heart failure in the UK
- 25,000 people are diagnosed with heart failure every year
- Over 85,000 people are hospitalised in the UK every year due to heart failure
- Evidence suggests that these hospitalisations cost the UK NHS an estimated £1.9 billion annually, almost 2% of total health expenditure.
Ireland
- Over 6,000 people are hospitalised in Ireland every year due to heart failure
- Evidence suggests that these hospitalisations cost the Irish health system an estimated €37 million annually, approximately 1.2% of total health expenditure.
Sweden
- Between 200,000 and 250,000 people live with heart failure in Sweden
- Over 33,550 people are hospitalised in Sweden every year due to heart failure
- Evidence suggests that these hospitalisations cost the Swedish health system an estimated SEK 2.4 billion annually.
Italy
- Approximately 840,000 people live with heart failure in Italy
- Over 195,000 people are hospitalised in Italy every year due to heart failure
- Evidence suggests that these hospitalisations cost the Italian health system an estimated €550 million annually.
Netherlands
- Over 29,000 people are hospitalised in the Netherlands every year due to heart failure.
- Evidence suggests that healthcare for heart failure costs the Dutch health system approximately €940 million annually, a large portion of which will be hospitalisation costs.
Spain
- Over 120,000 people are hospitalised in Spain every year due to heart failure.
- Evidence suggests that healthcare for heart failure costs the Spanish health system approximately €13,000-18,000 per patient, a large portion of which will be hospitalisation costs.
Germany
- Over 430,000 people are hospitalised in Germany every year due to heart failure.
- Evidence suggests that healthcare for heart failure costs the German health system approximately €3.3 billion annually, a large portion of which will be hospitalisation costs.
France
- Over 200,000 people are hospitalised in France every year due to heart failure
- Evidence suggests that these hospitalisations cost the French health system an estimated €1 billion annually.
About the Heart Failure Policy Network
The Heart Failure Policy Network (HFPN) is a multidisciplinary group of politicians from across Europe working with patients, health professionals and other stakeholders to lead significant policy changes to improve the lives of people with heart failure.
The Heart Failure Policy Network is funded through a grant from Novartis Pharma and St. Jude Medical.
Follow the conversation on Twitter @HFPolicyNetwork and #changeHFpolicy
Notes to editors
On European Heart Failure Awareness Day (6 May 2016),key members of the pan-European Heart Failure Policy Network and national HFPN spokespeople listed below will be available for interview and media comment.
To arrange interviews, additional comments and for all other media enquiries, please contact Natalia Marczewska on or +44 (0) 20 7554 1723.
UK
- Nick Hartshorne-Evans, CEO of Pumping Marvellous Foundation
- Martin Cowie, Professor of Cardiology at Imperial College, London and Honorary Consultant Cardiologist at the Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust
Ireland
- Deputy SeánKyne, TD for Galway West and Mayo South
- Neil Johnson, CEO of Croí
Sweden
- Penilla Gunther,Member of Swedish Parliament
Italy
- Aldo Patriciello, Member of European Parliament
Netherlands
- Annie Schreijer-Pierik, Member of European Parliament
Spain
- Dr José Ramón González Jaunatey, Director of Cardiology and Intensive Cardiac Care Department, University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Former President of the Spanish Society of Cardiology