Heart failure treatment sub-optimal in primary care
Many GPs are failing to diagnose and treat heart failure effectively, a UK survey has revealed. It also showed that public awareness of heart failure symptoms is low.
The survey, conducted on behalf of SHAPE (study group on heart failure
awareness and perception in Europe), an industry-sponsored organisation,
shows that as many as two thirds of GPs are prescribing sub-optimal heart
failure treatment.
In particular, it revealed that only 22 per cent of GPs prescribe an
angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor alone as first-line therapy,
a strategy recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence
and the Scottish Intercollegiate
Guidelines Network. NICE guidance also recommends adding a beta-blocker
to improve survival rates. The survey indicates that 24 per cent of GPs
do not follow this advice.
Awareness of the symptoms of heart failure was low among the 879 members
of the public who were questioned as part of the survey. Although 93
per cent had heard of the disease, only 2 per cent could identify its
signs and symptoms.
The survey involved interviews with 372 GPs and 610 specialists. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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