A pioneering new course is to be launched by The Open University to help patients understand more about heart disease and stroke.
The course, entitled "Understanding cardiovascular diseases", will help
patients learn more about conditions that affect the heart and the
circulation, factors that increase their risk of heart attack and
stroke, and how to manage their condition after diagnosis.
The course may have particular resonance in Scotland, with its long
history of high mortality rates from cardiovascular disease. While
cancer is now Scotland’s leading cause of death, heart disease and
stroke remain two of the so-called ‘big three’ killers.
Dr Duncan Banks, The Open University’s director of chronic care, said
the new course could not be more timely for patients and the NHS.
"For example, in Scotland in the year ending 31 March 2006, 10,300
people died from coronary heart disease and 49,000 were admitted to
hospital with heart-related problems."
The new course was welcomed by charity Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland.
"Around 140,000 Scottish men and women have suffered a heart attack,
with over a further 350,000 living with angina or heart failure," said
the charity’s heart co-ordinator, Louise Peardon. "Education about
heart disease is vital in order that these people may cope with and
learn to live and adapt to their condition."
It is anticipated that the new course will build on the growing success of another OU course which focuses on diabetes care.
Launched in 2005, the course provides an overview of how diabetes
affects the individual, from its impact on physical health to its
effect on emotions and relationships, and its impact on employment.
Students with diabetes have reported that the course had addressed gaps
in their knowledge, empowered them to make more informed decisions
about treatment, and helped them improve their health.
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