Only 3 in 5 heart failure patients see cardiologist at least once a year: Study

By Admin

19 May, 2025

A new study published in the European Heart Journal reveals a concerning gap in specialist care for heart failure patients: only three out of five individuals with heart failure see a cardiologist at least once annually. This leaves two in every five patients without specialist guidance—putting their health and lives at greater risk.

Alarming Findings from a Large-Scale Study

The research analyzed data from 655,919 French patients diagnosed with heart failure within the previous five years, as of January 2020. These patients were identified through national medical administrative records. The data was stratified based on patients' hospitalisation history and whether they were on diuretic therapy—a common treatment that helps reduce fluid buildup by eliminating excess sodium.

The results showed a clear pattern: patients who had at least one annual consultation with a cardiologist were 24% less likely to die in the following year and were significantly less likely to be hospitalised due to heart failure.

The Importance of Cardiologist Follow-Up

The study’s lead researcher, Dr. Guillaume Baudry from the Clinical Investigation Centre of Nancy University Hospital in France, emphasized the importance of regular specialist care. “In patients with heart failure, the heart is unable to normalise blood flow and pressure. While heart failure typically can’t be cured, proper treatment can manage symptoms for years,” Dr. Baudry stated.

The findings showed that patients hospitalised within the last year benefited most from at least four cardiology appointments annually, which reduced their risk of death or rehospitalisation from 34.3% to 18.2%.

Potential to Save Lives

Perhaps the most powerful takeaway from the study is this: if all heart failure patients saw a cardiologist at least once a year, one life could be saved for every 11–16 patients seen. This underscores the importance of routine specialist care—even for patients who appear stable.

A Call to Action for Patients and Providers

The researchers acknowledge the limits of observational studies but stress the strong association between cardiologist visits and improved outcomes. Dr. Baudry advises, “Patients should feel encouraged to ask for a cardiology review, particularly if they have recently been hospitalised or are taking diuretics.”

Conclusion

This study shines a spotlight on an urgent issue in heart failure management: the underuse of specialist care. With strong evidence linking cardiologist consultations to reduced mortality and hospitalisations, both healthcare providers and patients must prioritize regular cardiology follow-up. It’s a simple step that could make a life-saving difference.