Research finds heart failure costs €660 million annually

Research conducted with the Heartbeat Trust, the Irish Heart Foundation, the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) and supported by Novartis has found that the total cost of heart failure is likely to increase in the future.

Heart failure affects 90,000 Irish people and a further 160,000 Irish people have impending heart failure.

‘The Cost of Heart Failure’ report also found that the direct cost of heart failure to the HSE amounts to €158 million.

The report has also discovered profound regional disparities in Heart Failure patient services and outcomes.

A “post code lottery” is evident, according to the research.

“Never before has the national cost of heart failure in primary or community care been assessed,” said Professor Kenneth McDonald, Consultant Cardiologist and Clinical Lead for the HSE Heart Failure Clinical Care Programme.

“This important piece of research shows the extent of the burden of heart failure throughout primary and secondary health care settings in Ireland.

“The National Heart Failure Clinical Programme has done a significant amount of important work for patients living with heart failure, but there remains a lot more to be done.

“Focusing on heart failure prevention, the Heartbeat Trust has developed an effective screening and early intervention strategy to prevent heart failure and allied cardiovascular presentations in a cost effective manner. Notwithstanding these successes, much more is required to manage this societal challenge.”