To: Liz Kendall MP
Pensioners in heart failure should retain their winter fuel allowance
The uk government has decided to remove the winter fuel allowance for all but the pensioners on certain benefits.
However, this does not take into account pensioners who are suffering from heart failure and who as a result are highly susceptible to the cold and the effects of cold.
This government is risking the lives of many pensioners this winter.
Fuel poverty is problematic, but fuel poverty plus heart failure can be a death sentence.
This government needs to urgently address this issue. We need to get as many signatures now. These people cannot wait and the winter is fast approaching.
Many of you reading this petition may know an older person who has heart failure and will have an insight into their struggles.
Let’s make this government show some compassion.
However, this does not take into account pensioners who are suffering from heart failure and who as a result are highly susceptible to the cold and the effects of cold.
This government is risking the lives of many pensioners this winter.
Fuel poverty is problematic, but fuel poverty plus heart failure can be a death sentence.
This government needs to urgently address this issue. We need to get as many signatures now. These people cannot wait and the winter is fast approaching.
Many of you reading this petition may know an older person who has heart failure and will have an insight into their struggles.
Let’s make this government show some compassion.
Why is this important?
Experiencing cold when you have heart failure can raise your blood pressure and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.
1 in 35 people aged 65 - 74 years of age and 1 in 15 aged 75 -84 suffer heart failure or chronic heart disease ( nice.org)
Cold weather, among other factors, increases peripheral vasoconstriction, which may lead to pulmonary oedema as a consequence of left ventricular failure and may also cause abnormal clotting. In patients with symptomatic CHF, cold exposure decreases exercise capacity and increases the already raised systemic adrenergic activation. As increased plasma norepinephrine concentrations are associated with increased risk of death from progressive heart failure this may, in part, explain the increased mortality in winter.
Indeed, it has been suggested that seasonal variations – predominantly winter peaks in morbidity and mortality in the growing population of older patients who have heart failure (HF).
Eurowinter Group. Cold exposure and winter mortality from ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, respiratory disease, and all causes in warm and cold regions of Europe. Lancet. 1997;349:1341–6. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(96)12338-2.
1 in 35 people aged 65 - 74 years of age and 1 in 15 aged 75 -84 suffer heart failure or chronic heart disease ( nice.org)
Cold weather, among other factors, increases peripheral vasoconstriction, which may lead to pulmonary oedema as a consequence of left ventricular failure and may also cause abnormal clotting. In patients with symptomatic CHF, cold exposure decreases exercise capacity and increases the already raised systemic adrenergic activation. As increased plasma norepinephrine concentrations are associated with increased risk of death from progressive heart failure this may, in part, explain the increased mortality in winter.
Indeed, it has been suggested that seasonal variations – predominantly winter peaks in morbidity and mortality in the growing population of older patients who have heart failure (HF).
Eurowinter Group. Cold exposure and winter mortality from ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, respiratory disease, and all causes in warm and cold regions of Europe. Lancet. 1997;349:1341–6. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(96)12338-2.
