Recognizing World Heart Day: How Telehealth Plays a Crucial Role in Treating Cardiovascular Diseases
Yesterday marked World Heart Day, a time to spread awareness of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including their prevention and impact. Heart disease impacts nearly 83 million people in the U.S. and has been the leading cause of death nationwide since 1921. Telehealth has risen as an integral tool in treating cardiovascular diseases, increasing cardiac monitoring capabilities and opportunities for engagement and communication between patients and their physicians.
The use of telehealth for managing and treating heart disease has increased tremendously since the COVID-19 pandemic and has been proven to provide care equal to or better than traditional, in-person treatment. In a study published in the National Institutes of Health, researchers found that patients receiving care through telehealth saw improved blood pressure and CVD-related outcomes. The study also found a significant reduction in all-cause mortality for patients receiving care via telehealth versus those receiving usual care.
Telehealth enables physicians to monitor cardiac vitals through remote monitoring and provide real-time adjustments in treatments to improve quality of care. Telehealth also encourages increased patient engagement and appointment attendance, leading to better outcomes. Through virtual care options, cardiac patients can access their doctors in the comfort of their own home and avoid the stressors of getting to in-person appointments, which can negatively affect heart health in a multitude of ways, including increased heart rate and inflammation.
Treatment options for strokes, which are often caused by unhealthy heart health, have also revolutionized thanks to telehealth. Through telehealth stroke intervention, it’s been reported that hospital transfers have reduced from 50 percent to 15 percent. Paramedics can even alert stroke neurologists and emergency medicine physicians of any stroke risks or flags before the patient even enters the hospital.
Unfortunately, heart disease also disproportionately affects rural areas and communities of color. Telehealth helps bridge the health care gap and increase access to the specialized care needed for these populations.
“Telehealth as another means to deliver care has demonstrated the potential to transform the health care system by reducing costs and promoting equality, patient focus and patient satisfaction,” said Mark Schoeberl, executive vice president of advocacy, American Heart Association. “As we pursue our mission to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere, we urge Congress to protect patient access to virtual care.”
Access to telehealth for cardiac patients relying on these services must be protected. Telehealth is a proven tool in addressing the leading cause of death in our nation yet is at risk of becoming increasingly more difficult to access if Congress doesn’t act now. We urge lawmakers to protect these virtual care options and extend the Medicare telehealth flexibilities set to expire in less than 100 days.
ABOUT TELEHEALTH ACCESS FOR AMERICA
Telehealth Access for America (TAFA) is a public education campaign supported by leaders in health care committed to better care, expanded patient choice, and protecting access to critical telehealth services.
Learn more at www.telehealthaccessforamerica.org.