Heart Failure
We are working closely with the NHS to improve early detection, management and support of people with heart failure by reducing variation in services and improving access to diagnostic tests and treatment in primary care and the community.
Focus on heart failure
Heart failure affects around 920,000 people in the UK, and all too often, people with this condition end up in hospital due to limited access to support in the community. The BHF is working closely with the NHS to improve early detection, management and support of people with heart failure by reducing variation in services and improving access to diagnostic tests and treatment in primary care and the community. Improving access to diagnostics and treatment in the community could prevent up to 230,000 hospital admissions and 30,000 deaths from heart and circulatory diseases over the next decade in England.
In 2016, we worked with the All- Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Heart and Circulatory Diseases to raise awareness of heart failure amongst parliamentarians and publish a report to highlight what needs to change to improve outcomes for patients. While this report was well-received at the time, progress has been slow. In many parts of the country heart failure care remains unequal and disjointed.
Read our report 'focus on heart failure'
A blueprint for change
The coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated existing problems with heart failure care. At the peak of the pandemic heart failure services were significantly depleted in many areas of the UK, leaving patients with limited support. In response to this crisis we launched a new campaign that sets out a blueprint for rethinking the way heart failure services are designed and delivered so that everyone with heart failure can receive the best possible treatment and care.