Most heart failure patients don't complete treatment that can extend life by years

Nearly 244,000 people in the Netherlands suffer from heart failure, a condition where the heart's pumping ability declines, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid retention. This widespread condition contributes to around 33,000 hospitalizations annually, with approximately 8,000 deaths each year, or roughly 22 per day, AD reports.

The standard treatment for heart failure involves four medications: one to slow the heart rate, another to lower blood pressure, and two others to help the kidneys properly expel water and salt. However, many patients are only prescribed two or three of these drugs, falling short of the full recommended regimen.

Despite the prevalence of heart failure, research reveals that nearly 60 percent of patients do not receive the full range of recommended treatments. Cardiologist Jasper Brugts, who is also a professor at Erasmus MC, says that a more comprehensive treatment could dramatically improve patient outcomes. "Patients who receive the full treatment can live many years longer. They also spend less time in the hospital and feel better overall," he told RTL.

The impact of this treatment gap is reportedly severe, with patients experiencing significant health challenges as a result. One of the most distressing aspects of heart failure is fluid retention, which can accumulate behind the lungs, creating a sensation of drowning. "This is a terrifying experience, and patients often take months to recover from it," Brugts noted.

To address this gap in care, Brugts has received funding from the Dutch Heart Foundation to improve treatment protocols. His goal is to reduce the number of patients not receiving the full treatment to just 30 percent in the coming years. "If we succeed, the impact will be enormous," he said.

The rise in heart failure cases is partly attributed to the aging population, with older individuals being at higher risk. Additionally, the increasing rates of obesity reportedly contribute to the growing number of heart failure diagnoses. Over the past decades, advancements in treatments such as stenting have reduced the incidence of heart attacks, but as a result, the number of people with heart failure is expected to rise and could potentially double, according to the Heart Foundation.

The reason many patients are not receiving complete treatment is often due to a lack of awareness, both on the part of the patient and the prescribing physician. To improve this, a new digital platform will be introduced, offering patients comprehensive information about their condition and treatment options. Additionally, doctors will receive alerts on their screens when they fail to prescribe all four medications for a patient.

"There are valid reasons why some medications may not be prescribed," said Brugts. "For example, patients with severe kidney problems may not be able to take one of the drugs." In such cases, doctors will be able to indicate the reasons in the system, providing researchers with insights into the decision-making process and allowing for further improvements.

Patients may also experience side effects, such as dizziness, particularly in older individuals, which can be dangerous. "In these cases, it's possible to adjust the dosage," Brugts explained. "I prefer that patients take a low dose of all four medications rather than a high dose of just two."

Research has also shown that patients who visit specialized heart failure clinics are more likely to receive the full treatment. Brugts advocates for expanding these clinics, which are staffed by specialists trained in heart failure management.