Heart Help: a community program

Studies have shown that long term cardiac rehabilitation programs can reduce deaths and disability from cardiovascular disease by providing ongoing support and access to health care professionals. Melbourne's Western Metropolitan Region has one of the highest rates of heart disease in Victoria. Programs such as Heart Help are therefore important for this community.

Heart Help, a community based long-term cardiac rehabilitation and prevention program, was set up at the YMCA in Footscray as a demonstration project. It was conducted by the Heart Research Centre for three years between 1995 and 1998. Participants joined in the education and exercise sessions, as well as gaining from the informal social support the program provided. Heart Help attracted over 480 people from varied cultural and social backgrounds. An evening group was provided to meet the needs of younger patients and those who had returned to work. Spouses were encouraged to attend both to support their partners and because spouses of cardiac patients are themselves a high risk group.

When funding ceased, management of Heart Help was successfully transferred to the Western Region Health Centre. The program was extensively modified to meet the changing needs of clients in the region.

Over one third of referrals to the program were from Western Hospital. A further third referred themselves after hearing about the program through word of mouth. Clients included those who had experienced a recent heart attack or bypass operation, as well as those who wished to reduce their risk of developing cardiac problems. One third of the patients were born overseas in countries such as Italy, the former Yugoslavia, Malta and Eastern Europe. However, most had been long term residents in Australia and English was the main language spoken by 75% of participants.

Facilitators of exercise and education sessions included physiotherapists, dietitians, cardiologists, general practitioners, nurses and other health professionals. To encourage greater involvement of local general practitioners, the Heart Research Centre submitted a successful proposal for funding on behalf of the Westgate Division of Family Medicine to the Commonwealth Divisions of General Practice.

Outcome evaluation was undertaken in a cohort of 116 participants. Patients and family members were invited to return for three monthly and six monthly reviews to assess changes in their risk factors, health behaviours, psychosocial functioning, employment and attitudes since attending Heart Help.

Funding: Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing under the National Health Goals and Targets Program