Thousands on waiting lists for cardiac rehabilitation

Nearly 3,000 heart patients are on waiting lists for cardiac rehabilitation. 

The Irish Heart Foundation says the system is in "absolute crisis", with no hospital in the country fully staffed to help patients recover.

The waiting list has increased by 54% in the last eight years, while the number of staff available is down by 40%.

Dr Angie Brown, the Irish Heart Foundation’s Medical Director, says rehab for heart patients can be lifesaving.

"Patients are less likely to stop smoking, people are less likely to have a healthier lifestyle, so it's going to have an increased burden for those patients, for the hospitals with increased admissions, increased events following their heart attack or their bypass or their valve replacement.

"It's very important that we do invest."

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