Wollongong identified in top 10 heart failure 'hot spots'

For the next three decades she suffered the effects of heart failure – shortness of breath, extreme fatigue – until six months ago when her specialist suggested a revolutionary new treatment.

The treatment, Entresto, has given her a ‘’new lease on life’’ and at age 69, she’s back doing the things she loves.

‘’After a couple of weeks on the treatment I noticed I wasn’t getting as tired and now I’m back gardening, doing my housework and playing with my grandchildren,’’ she said. ‘’It’s a beautiful feeling.’’

Ms Scott is one of several local patients to benefit from the medication according to Wollongong cardiologist Associate Professor Edward Vogl, with many more able to access it after it’s added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) on June 1.

‘’It's a breakthrough drug that not only prolongs life, but results in improved quality of life,’’ Prof Vogl said.

A new study has identified Wollongong as one of the top 10 heart failure ‘hot spots’ in the country, with 7800 residents living with the condition and a further 1000 cases diagnosed each year.

Hospitalisations for heart failure in Wollongong cost the health system more than $42 million a year – with around 2000 admissions annually.

Prof Vogl said the drug was the biggest breakthrough in treatment for heart failure in over a decade, and said it was vital given the expected rise in the condition due to an ageing population.

‘’Heart failure amounts to the failure of the heart to pump enough oxgenated blood to the tissues and organs that require it,’’ he said.

‘’As well as symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue, it’s associated with an appreciable mortality and can also lead to malfunction of other organs.

‘’This novel treatment works by relaxing the blood vessels to allow for better blood flow and results in a very significant improvement in a patient’s outlook.’’

Ms Scott said its inclusion on the PBS will enable her to keep reaping the rewards.

‘’I was a slim, very active mother-of-three when I had a massive heart attack out of the blue and I spent six weeks in hospital recovering,’’ she said.

‘’Six years later I underwent open heart surgery and my heart was badly damaged and I struggled for years. For the past decade everything became an effort – I’d get up in the morning and have a cup of tea and then just want to go back to bed again.

‘’Now I’m feeling better than I have for years.’’

The national snapshot of heart failure was conducted by Australian Catholic University researchers, and was funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals which supplies Entresto.