CSR/Corporate social responsibility

Adamed Pharma supports cardiac rehabilitation; a new initiative under the “New Heart” programme

22 March 2022

The rapidly growing health debt poses a challenge to us all. As part of the “New Heart” programme and the new initiative, Adamed Pharma will donate 175 kits for hybrid cardiac telerehabilitation to 35 medical centers in Poland.

Cardiovascular diseases are presently the key cause of mortality not only in Europe but also worldwide. According to a report by the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases accounted for 29.6% of all deaths in 2014. The diseases of the heart and blood vessels, termed cardiovascular diseases in medical language, are predominant in Poland, too, and according to statistical data they are responsible for 69.1% of all deaths in our country [1].

Adamed Pharma’s mission is to respond to the key challenges of contemporary medicine. The country-wide prevention programme “New Heart” launched in 2008 seeks to address cardiovascular diseases as top causes of mortality. Prevention and, above all, knowledge give patients the opportunity to avoid, among other things, atherosclerosis and hypertension, and thus myocardial infarction, embolism of peripheral arteries and stroke.

In addition to prevention, the company also recognizes the need for activities that support the mitigation of physical and psychological consequences of heart diseases. Cardiac rehabilitation is one of them. It supports the recovery process, while improving physical fitness and psychological well-being.

The needs in this area are enormous. According to the Polish Cardiological Association, the incidence of cardiovascular diseases increased by 17% in 2020 relative to 2019 [2]. In 2018, as many as five hundred thousand Poles qualified for cardiac rehabilitation [3]. The health debt, which has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is a challenge to the entire population inPoland.

Innovation is inherent to Adamed Pharma’s DNA, and so the company is constantly looking for new solutions and paths which address the needs in medicine. With the digital transformation advancing in medical care, we decided to expand the range of activities under the “New Heart” programme, and make benefits associated with the use of telemedicine more accessible.

In order to improve the quality of life of Polish patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases, Adamed Pharma will donate vouchers for 175 kits for hybrid cardiac telerehabilitation to 35 medical centers in Poland as part of the "New Heart" social programme. The kit for hybrid cardiac telerehabilitation consists of a smartphone with a dedicated mobile application, an ECG device, a blood pressure monitor, and a scale. The kit comes with a license for software and technical support services that will be provided for 12 months from the launch of the service.

Hybrid cardiac rehabilitation allows the patient to work out individually at any chosen place while healthcare professionals may remotely monitor the progress of the training. This innovative solution allows the attending physician to monitor compliance and the patient’s vital signs during their training. It helps the patient significantly reduce the incidence of new episodes of the disease. A nine-week comprehensive hybrid rehabilitation has been proven to significantly improve physical fitness and quality of life in patients with a heart failure as compared to the standard of care [4]. It is safe and simple to organize and implement.

Hybrid cardiac telerehabilitation is a necessary step in the management of patients with cardiovascular diseases and it should be initiated in all patients for whom it is indicated. It is especially during the pandemic that hybrid cardiac rehabilitation which involves phase 1 performed in inpatient settings is the preferred method. In thefollowing phase, the patient is rehabilitated at home which is convenient and additionally reduces the risk of infection [5]. The benefits of this type of rehabilitation can be observed in people who have had a heart attack or a cardiac surgery as well as those suffering from chronic coronary syndromes, and heart failure, among other conditions.

For details of the programme which will last until 31 August 2022 and the rules of participation, please go to www.sercenanowo.pl

[1] Recommendation No. 24/2019 of 19 April 2019 of the President of the Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariff System on changing the health technology for cardiac rehabilitation.

[2] https://ptkardio.pl/aktualnosci/567-tydzien_dla_serca_w_dobie_pandemii_nalezy_pamietac_o_sercu

[3] Management Consulting Report. 2018. Statistics Poland (GUS), report of AOTMiT (Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariff System) 

[4] www.swiatlekarza.pl/rehabilitacja-hybrydowa/

[5] https://www.rehabilitacjakardiologicznaptk.pl/news-item/rk-w-czasie-pandemii-covid-19-czesc-1-stanowisko 28.04.2020.