The American Heart Association recently released a new policy statement concerning palliative care, emphasizing that this care is vital to U.S. citizens suffering from strokes or heart disease.
The new recommendations will help patients have more accessibility to palliative care. Currently, there are many barriers that stop patients, as well as their families, from receiving the care that they need.
“Patients and their family members have different values, preferences and goals,” American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown said. “For those suffering from heart disease and stroke, palliative care provides them with more control over treatment -- from the point of diagnosis onward -- so that the most beneficial health decisions can be made.”
Improving the accessibility of palliative care is crucial for Americans across the nation.
“Palliative care provides that much-needed level of support for patients and families dealing with cardiovascular disease and stroke,” Dr. Lynne Braun, lead author, said. “This approach to care can help patients better understand the disease they are fighting, their treatment options and their prognosis. More than that, it can give them the strength they need to carry on in their day-to-day life by easing the burden of care for the family, as well as providing extra relief from symptoms, distress and pain the patient may be experiencing.”
