Dear readers,
After my stay in hospital, followed by 4 weeks
of Diverticultis, and my anxiety of my continuing heart failure, I’ve decided
to quote an article from the ‘I’ newspaper that is relevant to all of us who
suffer serious heart problems.
Cuts leave heart
attack victims prone to anxiety - by Charlie Cooper and Pippa Bailey
Patients who have had a heart attack are being left without
psychological support despite evidence that nearly half suffer anxiety and
depression, which in extreme cases heightens their risk of dying from the
condition.
One in five patients will develop serious depression after a
heart attack or similar cardiac emergency, and another 25% experience less
serious depressive symptoms.
Recent research has revealed that these psychological
problems are linked with poorer outcomes for cardiac patients, and much higher
risk of dying. Despite this, the number of UK heart patients, the number of patients being offered psychological treatment has halved.. British Heart Foundation blame cuts to Cardiac services forced by NHS budget squeeze in England, which has seen mental health care
disproportionately affected.
In 2009 – 2010, 16 % of cardiac patients in the UK were
offered specialist mental health
support, a figure which has dropped to just 9% this year, according to the BHF. Fifty six percent of patients receive no
rehabilitation services – help with lifestyle, exercise and diet –
whatsoever. Dr Mike Knapton, the BHF’s Associate
Medical Director, said that cuts in mental health services were in direct
conflict with the government’s professed commitment to “parity of esteem”
between physical and mental healthcare.
Dr Martin McShane, from NS England said “Their is a
significant benefit in treating physical and mental health in an integrated
fashion “. ( article ends ).
From personal
experience, I have suffered from continuous anxiety depression, which has
worsened since I have been informed that there is nothing more that can be done
for me. R.W.
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