 There are an estimated 268,000 heart attacks in the UK each year |
The NHS is continuing to improve its treatment of people who have had heart attacks, a report shows. Royal College of Physicians figures show 55% of eligible patients in 2005 in England receive clot-busting drugs within an hour of seeking medical help.
The proportion of patients receiving these potentially life-saving thrombolytic drugs in 2001 was just 22%.
The drugs reopen blocked arteries responsible for attacks.
If the clot is not cleared, the heart will suffer permanent damage.
The drugs are able to dissolve these clots. They are effective up to 12 hours after a clot develops. However, they are most effective if given quickly.
In total, the drugs are now given to 86% of patients within 30 minutes of arriving in hospital compared to 44% in 2001.
The research also looked at treatment in Wales. It found 71% received treatment within 30 minutes of arriving at hospital, compared to 65% last year.
And 29% received the drugs within one hour of calling for professional help. In 2003/4, the figure was 22%.
Almost 270,000 people have a heart attack each year in the UK.
Delays
The Department of Health has ordered trusts to give thrombolytic drugs to more patients. It set a target of 48% for 2004.
It also set a target for 75% of eligible patients to be given clot-busting drugs within 30 minutes of arriving in hospital.
The report shows that hospitals are exceeding targets for giving drugs to patients leaving hospitals to prevent them having another heart attack.
Over 90% of patients receive either aspirin, beta blockers and statins, which have all been shown to be beneficial.
Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director of the British Heart Foundation said: "Generally speaking, this report carries good news and the picture is looking much better than it did even a year ago.
"The report shows that most hospitals have improved the speed with which they treat heart attacks.
"However, some patients still experience long delays before getting to hospital for treatment, showing that there is still much more to be done."
He called for more attention to be given to rehabilitation and after-care for heart attack patients after they leave hospital.
Health Minister Rosie Winterton said: "This report shows the continuation of the enormous improvements that have already been achieved in speeding up the treatment given to heart attack patients.
"The numbers of patients benefiting from thrombolysis within 60 minutes of calling for professional help is improving year on year thanks to the hard work of the many staff across the country, including ambulance services, A&E departments and cardiac units."
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Most hospitals have improved the speed with which they treat heart attacks
