A Revolution Of Cardiac Care With Patient-Centred Approach To Heart Health

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The diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease has been transformed over the past 50 years, but with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) killing 480 people every day in the UK and around 7.6 million people living with heart or circulatory disease, there is clearly still room for significant improvement.

There is also a very human dimension to the anxiety around symptoms and time to diagnosis, and the value that patients place on people-centred care pathways, that is easily lost in the slew of health statistics around a condition as commonplace as cardiac disease.

As is true for many diseases, early diagnosis is the key to improving outcomes — and workplace health checks and MOT-style screening for risk factors such as high cholesterol and blood pressure have already delivered significant benefits.

Emergency admission

But we could do better. Around eight in ten people with heart failure are diagnosed only after an emergency hospital admission, even though half had previously raised concerns with their GP. And it’s estimated that up to 80% of premature CVD deaths could have been prevented.

There are also worrying sex-based divides, with men more likely to develop CVD, but women at greater risk of misdiagnosis and sub-optimal care.

These gaps and blind spots in diagnosis and care contribute to the fact that one in four people in the UK will die from heart or circulatory disease.

Complicated

There’s no denying that cardiac disease can be complicated. Family history, lifestyle, and ethnicity all influence our risk, as do other health problems such as diabetes, autoimmune conditions and kidney disease.

That’s why it warrants the more intelligent and personalised approach that Private Client by Bupa provides.

Vanessa Noberasco, Private Client by Bupa Concierge Manager says, “We know that cardiovascular disease is a serious concern for many of our clients, and symptoms such as chest pains and palpitations can be very alarming.

“That’s why Private Client by Bupa includes an extensive cardiac-care package which reflects the latest advances in diagnosis and care and provides a fast-track pathway to diagnosis or reassurance.”

Referral

Traditionally, diagnosis begins with a GP referral to a cardiac specialist who will suggest a range of tests and checks. But cardiology has become increasingly specialised, and this one-size-fits-all pathway is akin to calling in a handyman when you really need an electrician, plumber or structural engineer.

For instance, palpitations are most commonly caused by a signaling problem within the heart and need the cardiac equivalent of an electrician. Chest pain is usually associated with impaired blood flow or a blockage, which is essentially a plumbing problem. While a combination of these symptoms could indicate a structural problem such as heart failure or heart valve disease, which require a specific surgical skill-set.

That’s why Private Client by Bupa provides access to a one-stop care pathway which ensures customers are referred to the most appropriate specialist for their symptoms and have a range of diagnostic tests ahead of their first consultation.

Game-changer

This patient-centred pathway begins with a call-back from one of the triage team at the Cromwell Hospital. This is often the same day as their first phone call or email and is never more than 36 hours later.

After discussing the customer’s symptoms and medical history, the triage team member will arrange for the necessary diagnostic tests and book a consultation with an appropriate specialist. This can usually be scheduled for the same day.

36 hours

The time from that triage call to an appointment with a cardiac specialist is never more than three working days. And having test results available at that first consultation, means that most patients can receive a clear diagnosis and suggested treatment plan — or the reassurance that they do not have a cardiac issue.

If any extra tests are needed to confirm a diagnosis, a second appointment within 24 working hours can be booked.

More complex cases are assessed and discussed by a multi-disciplinary team comprised of a wide range of specialists and healthcare professionals in supporting roles. These multi-disciplinary teams also oversee any necessary treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.

In short, Private Client by Bupa offers evidence-based care, delivered by a patient-centred and personalised service, which is designed to provide rapid treatment, or reassurance.

Apply now to become a Bupa Private Client. Call 0371 3460 407, bupaprivateclient.com.

Private Client by Bupa is a concierge service providing personalised health and wellbeing services for the Ultimate Global Health Plan insured by Bupa Global.

Calls may be recorded or monitored. Bupa Global is a trading name of Bupa Insurance Limited and Bupa Insurance Services Limited which are registered in England and Wales at Companies House under numbers 3956433 and 3829851 respectively. The registered offices are Bupa, 1 Angel Court, London EC2R 7HJ, UK. Bupa Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate the activities of Bupa Insurance Limited that take place outside of the UK. Bupa Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The Financial Registration numbers of Bupa Insurance Limited and Bupa Insurance Services Limited are 203332 and 312526 respectively.

^[1] https://www.bhf.org.uk/-/media/files/for-professionals/research/heart-statistics/bhf-cvd-statistics-uk-factsheet.pdf

^[2] https://bjgp.org/content/73/726/4

^[3] https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/reports/cardiovascular-disease-england

^[4] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cardiovascular-disease/

^[5] https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/policy-and-public-affairs/transforming-healthcare/tackling-inequalities-in-heart-health-and-care-our-policy-initiatives/download-bias-and-biology-briefing

^[6] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cardiovascular-disease/

^[7] https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)01349-6/abstract

^[8] https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.120.050686