The National Heart Foundation of Australia is calling for urgent action to address the low participation rates of heart attack patients in cardiac rehabilitation, at a conference held in Brisbane today.

Dr Robert Grenfell, Clinical Issues Director at the Heart Foundation told leading cardiac rehabilitation experts that a national plan is needed to boost the number of people who should be referred to these life saving programs.

Cardiac rehabilitation helps heart disease and heart attack patients return to an active and satisfying life and to prevent recurrence of cardiac events. It includes physical activity, health education, counselling, behaviour modification strategies and support for self-management.

"We don't actually know how many people are being referred to cardiac rehab or how many are completing these critical programs. It's scandalous that these figures are not readily available," Dr Grenfell said.

"But based on research studies, we believe that only around 30% of those who have had a heart attack are referred to a cardiac rehabilitation program. Some data suggests the figure could be much lower and dramatically lower for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander patients.

"Cardiac rehabilitation, either hospital-based, community-based or home-based via a manual, telephone or online program, is a cost-effective intervention that can dramatically reduce the chances of having a subsequent heart attack.

"Cardiac rehab may reduce the risk of death by up to 25% and readmission to hospital within one year by up to 45%."

The estimated direct hospital cost of heart attacks were $1.19 billion in 2009, or around $25,000 per heart attack.

"Considering around half of all coronary events occur in those people who have had a prior event, there is considerable health and cost benefits in funding cardiac rehab programs," Dr Grenfell said.

The Heart Foundation's submission to the Australian Government's 2012-2013 Budget called for $30m funding a year for cardiac rehabilitation initiatives, to enable better access to services across the country.

"If the government can fund a national program and increase cardiac rehab availability across the country, we will have more people participating. This will reduce the chances of heart disease patients having further cardiac events and prevent costly hospital admissions," Dr Grenfell added.

"It's a no brainer that should be enthusiastically supported by state and federal treasurers and treasuries as a key way of reducing avoidable hospital admissions.

"We support it because it will save lives."

The Heart Foundation recommends that all patients who have had a heart attack, heart surgery, or other heart or blood vessel disease are routinely referred to an appropriate cardiac rehabilitation program.

"Disturbingly, studies suggest the biggest contributor to non-completion of cardiac rehabilitation is lack of referral to a cardiac program," he said.

For more information on the ACRA Conference contact the Australian Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation Association or visit www.acra.net.au/acra-conference.

Heart Foundation