hartzorg

Hartzorg is the integrated care of people with heart diseases, covering prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and ongoing follow‑up. In Dutch health care, hartzorg involves cardiology as a hospital specialty, primary and secondary prevention in primary care, and long‑term management through rehabilitation and home monitoring when appropriate. The aim is to reduce symptoms, prevent complications, improve quality of life and survival.

Diagnostics often begin in primary care or emergency services, with electrocardiography, blood tests and imaging as needed. When indicated, patients are referred to cardiology for further testing such as echocardiography, coronary computed tomography angiography or invasive coronary angiography. Treatments are tailored to the condition and may include medication (for example antiplatelet therapy, statins, beta‑blockers, ACE inhibitors/ARBs, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists), device therapy (pacemaker, ICD) and interventional or surgical procedures (PCI, CABG, valve repair/replacement, ablation).

Cardiac rehabilitation is a key component, combining supervised exercise, education on risk factor modification, nutrition, smoking cessation and psychosocial support to support recovery and long‑term health. Multidisciplinary teams may include cardiologists, specialized nurses, physiotherapists, dietitians, pharmacists and social workers.

Prevention remains central, addressing modifiable risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity and tobacco use. Public health programs and guideline‑driven care aim to improve early detection and adherence to therapies.

Challenges include an aging population, increasing prevalence of chronic heart failure and the need for integrated care pathways, including remote monitoring and telemedicine. Emergency awareness and rapid access to care remain critical for acute events such as myocardial infarction.