Deprived at greater risk after heart surgery, say city scientists

Apr 15 2009 by Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail

SOCIAL deprivation increases the risk of death after heart surgery, according to research by Birmingham scientists.

A major study of 40,000 patients by Birmingham University and University Hospitals Birmingham Foundation Trust has shown that patients from more deprived backgrounds had poorer survival rates after cardiac surgery immediately after the operation in hospital and over the next five years. Researchers are now trying to identify why this is the case and believe diet, social habits and access to healthcare may play a part.