Help for patients (From Penarth Times)

Help for patients

HEART trouble is common place throughout Britain and Penarth is no different.

But there are drugs to help with most problems of the heart, particularly where high cholesterol is involved.

A local woman, whose husband died from heart trouble and who does not wish to be named, said: "I know the drug Statins is very useful and would have saved my husband's life. I have three medical opinions which say that is the case."

Head of medical information for the British Heart Foundation, Belinda Linden, said: "Statins is a drug which reduces cholesterol in most cases but would not always save a patient. If they already have heart disease this drug does not reverse the process. One of the best ways of controlling high cholesterol is cutting down on fatty foods. And a change in lifestyle is the way to combat it."

She added that treatment is not the be all and end all to combating heart disease but they will help.

The Vale woman whose husband died was not happy with his treatment. An NHS spokesman explained what she should do. He said: "Firstly the person should write to the chief executive who will then look into the complaint. If the findings are not sufficient the patient can get an independent review from the Welsh assembly. If that is not satisfactory the highest authority is the health ombudsman."

He added that any complaint will be investigated by the trust. Heart disease affects all walks of life but can be almost eliminated by a healthy lifestyle.