Researchers at the Cedar-Sinai Clinic have discovered that through follow-up calls from healthcare professionals, patients with heart failure can save lives. Research published Journal of Heart Failure.
About a third of people die within a year of being hospitalized for heart failure, a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to keep organs functioning.
The researchers included data from 1,300 patients aged 50 and over who were hospitalized for acute heart failure. Half of the patients were treated as usual, while the other half received calls from healthcare professionals for six months to inquire about their symptoms, weight, blood pressure, and pulse. Patients who reported new symptoms received more calls.
The new post-discharge follow-up approach has been particularly beneficial for patients in the worst health condition. They were 25% less likely to die compared to the usual-treated group.
Patients with milder conditions did not benefit from phone calls from healthcare professionals.
The authors believe their approach could be a solution for those who have trouble using a smartphone or computer.
“There are so many new technologies and new ideas about how to remotely help people with heart failure, but when a healthcare worker asks, “How are you?” Do you feel it could improve treatment outcomes,” said study author Dr. Ad Kedan.
Source: Gazeta
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