What happens after a heart event matters more than we think
While coronary heart disease (CHD) alone is a leading cause of death and a significant health care burden in Australia, this comorbidity with type 2 diabetes (T2D) amplifies patients' risk of a heart attack. As a consequence, patients with CHD-T2D have more hospital admissions for heart-related events and associated complications, as well as a higher chance of premature death.
Coronary heart disease (CHD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) together increase the risk of heart attacks in Australian patients, leading to more hospital admissions and a higher likelihood of premature death. With the projected doubling of CHD cases by 2045, the Australian health system faces growing economic challenges. To address this, researchers at Deakin University examined the health care pathways of over 2,000 patients with CHD-T2D in Western Australia, using linked datasets from GP visits, pathology, pharmacy, emergency admissions, inpatient stays, and mortality records.
The study revealed that patients who visited their GP more frequently in the first year after a heart attack had better health outcomes, including improved survival and fewer rehospitalizations. This emphasizes the importance of continuity of care and ongoing support post-discharge. The researchers argue that greater emphasis should be placed on long-term patient management, especially during the crucial first year following a heart attack, and more support should be provided to patients in regional and remote areas or those with additional comorbidities like heart failure and chronic kidney disease.
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