Heart Attack Patients in New Zealand Often Miss Critical Treatment Windows, Study Reveals

A groundbreaking report commissioned by the cardiac advocacy charity Kia Manawanui Trust has revealed a startling reality in New Zealand's healthcare system: half of all heart attack patients are not receiving the timely treatment they need, according to internationally accepted standards. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Otago, has also highlighted a stark shortage of cardiologists and a growing disparity in healthcare outcomes for Māori and Pacific communities.

The report estimates that heart disease costs the New Zealand economy around $13.8 billion annually, a figure that underscores the urgent need for systemic reform. Trust Chief Executive Letitia Harding described the findings as a 'wake-up call' for the government, emphasizing that the healthcare system is on the brink of collapse due to chronic underfunding and resource shortages.

Key Findings from the Report

• Life-threatening delays: Half of all heart attack patients are not seen within accepted timeframes, increasing their risk of severe complications or death.
• Workforce shortage: New Zealand has only one-third of the required number of cardiologists, a critical gap that is exacerbating the crisis.
• Disparities in care: Māori and Pacific people are hospitalized or die from heart disease at an average of a decade earlier than other New Zealanders, highlighting deep-seated inequities in the healthcare system.
• Regional disparities: Regions with the highest heart disease death rates, such as Tairāwhiti, Lakes, Whanganui, and Taranaki, have the fewest cardiac specialists available.

Dr. Sarah Fairley, a cardiologist and medical director for the trust, noted that the report’s findings align with the daily experiences of frontline clinicians. 'From inside the system, I can tell you that this report reflects what we see every day - a workforce stretched beyond safe limits, patients slipping through the cracks and no end in sight.'

The Cost of Inaction

The economic burden of heart disease is staggering. In 2020 alone, the cost of heart disease deaths reached $13.09 billion, with 74,708 life years lost. The report also reveals that the number of cardiology sonographers has dropped significantly, from 70.4 in 2013 to 43.5 in 2024, despite a 17% population increase. This shortage is compounding the already dire situation in cardiac care.

The trust is calling for immediate action, including investment in public hospital cardiac care infrastructure, such as beds and equipment, as well as a national strategy to recruit and retain cardiology staff. These measures are essential to address the growing crisis and ensure that all New Zealanders receive equitable and timely care.

Health Minister Simeon Brown has acknowledged the report's findings and stated that the government expects Health New Zealand to continue strengthening cardiac services nationwide. He highlighted the establishment of a National Clinical Cardiac Network, which is working to develop national standards and models of care. This includes funding for new training positions for cardiac sonographers, a key workforce in reducing the echocardiogram waitlist.

A Call to Action

As the report makes clear, the current state of cardiac care in New Zealand is not just a healthcare issue but a matter of life and death. With heart disease responsible for one in five deaths and five percent of hospital admissions, the time for reform is now. The government, healthcare providers, and the public must come together to ensure that no patient is left behind in the race against time.