Tue, 15 Jul 2003
Heart to Heart
Lack of GP time puts women's lives at risk - New research on GP and patient attitudes to the UK’s biggest single killer.Half of GPs in the UK (51%) say that they do not have enough time to talk to women patients about coronary heart disease (CHD) according to new research1 commissioned by the Doctor Patient Partnership (DPP). Nearly three quarters of GPs (74%) admit that the incidence of CHD among women in the UK would fall if they had more time to talk about CHD. With the economic burden of CHD standing at £7 billion2 each year, the potential long-term savings for the NHS could be huge if the incidence was reduced.
The research is part of a new campaign – ‘Ask About Your Heart’ - launched today (15 July) by the DPP to improve communication between GPs and women patients on the risks of CHD including a new online information source for healthcare professionals to address the issue.
The survey also revealed that although CHD is the single biggest killer of women in the UK (54,491 die every year3), almost a third of GPs (31%) are more concerned about the risk of other diseases such as breast cancer. The reality is that women are four times more likely to die of a heart problem than breast cancer 4.
Dr Simon Fradd, GP and Chairman of the DPP comments:
"The fact that over a third of GPs (40%) say they need more guidance on talking to women about CHD is a clear indication that healthcare professionals need more support. We believe that the new GP contract will offer general practice the resources needed to ensure patients are better informed on their health risks by appropriately qualified health care professionals.
However, GPs cannot be expected to solve this issue alone. Women need to be made more aware of the risks so they can be much more proactive about their own health and ask for practical advice to ensure they reduce their risk of developing serious diseases such as CHD.
GPs are positive about the benefits of improved communication with women patients. 80% of GPs believe that more women would make lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking or being more physically active, to reduce their risk if GPs had more time to talk to patients and offer practical advice during consultations."
However, women’s reluctance to acknowledge their risk of CHD and take action to reduce it is also an issue. Nearly three quarters of women aged 45 and over surveyed5 (74%) say they have never asked their GP about heart health and a third (33%) do not think they are at risk.
Dr Chris Steele, GP and resident doctor on ITV’s This Morning who is supporting the campaign said:
"The stereotypical image of a heart attack victim in the UK is a middle aged, overweight man. The truth is that women should be as concerned about coronary heart disease as men. As women reach the menopause their risk of coronary heart disease increases to the same level as men."
Dr Steele is encouraging women to ask some of these important questions as part of their next routine GP consultation:
1. How at risk am I from coronary heart disease?
2. What can I do to reduce my risk?
3. What kinds of physical activity can I do safely?
4. How can HRT affect my risk of coronary heart disease?
5. How can I recognise a heart attack, heart failure or a stroke?
The good news is that if they knew how, almost nine in 10 women (88%) would take action to reduce their risk of developing CHD. Yet with one in four women smoking6 in the UK and one in six women dying from CHD every year7, more action is needed to prevent further suffering from the disease.
Women can get a copy of the new ‘Ask About Your Heart’ leaflet by visiting www.dpp.org.uk or from DPP member GP practices. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) information line (08450 70 80 70 – Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm) is also available for confidential information on issues relating to heart disease.
Notes to editors:
- The DPP is a UK charity that aims to promote the effective use of NHS services, improve communication between patients and healthcare professionals and offer people advice on managing their health.
- For a copy of the BHF booklet Women and Heart disease call 01604 640016 or go to www.bhf.org.uk
References:
1. NOP Healthcare research, GP Net June 2003, 102 GPs
2. British Heart Foundation (BHF) Statistics Database 2003
3. As above
4. British Heart Foundation, Take Note of Your Heart: a review of women and heart disease in the
UK 2003
5. NOP research, 12-24 June 2003, face-to-face interviews among 1,096 women aged 45+
6. Smoking is a major risk factor for CHD (even light smoking doubles risk). BHF Statistics
Database 2003
7. As above
Regional Statistics PDF Download