In August 2023, a life-altering diagnosis was made; my husband was diagnosed with heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition that affects thousands across the UK, yet the support provided is not always equal. In South Warwickshire, where we live, Cardiac Rehabilitation is offered to patients who have suffered heart attacks. However, despite compelling evidence of its benefits for heart failure patients too, it's not extended to them due to funding constraints or lack of perceived necessity.

This lack of access has had a detrimental impact on my husband's life and undoubtedly on many others in similar situations. The British Heart Foundation states that cardiac rehabilitation can reduce hospital readmissions and mortality rates by up to 18% and 28% respectively (British Heart Foundation). Yet this essential service remains out of reach for many heart failure patients like my husband.

Having Cardiac Rehabilitation services available in all NHS Trusts will give heart failure patients a chance to live a fulfilled life. This service is all part of the therapy to help heart failure patients live a longer life. Combined with medication and access to Cardiac Rehabilitation this will prolong my husband's life.We are calling on all NHS Trusts across the UK to mandate the provision of Cardiac Rehabilitation services for all Heart Failure patients irrespective of their age or gender. It's time we recognize that everyone deserves an equal chance at recovery and quality life after such diagnoses.

Please sign this petition today; let us ensure no one else has their health compromised due to systemic gaps in our healthcare.

Having access to this facility across all NHS Trusts means no person affected by heart failure will have to fight for this effective treatment. Which will help to prolong patients lives and make sure they live a fulfilled life. No one should be having to fight for Cardiac Rehabilitation. The more we can do the better. I have always valued the NHS but right now certain trusts are letting us down. It will help prolong my husband's life alongside medication which means he will have a fighting chance to see our son grow up.