Resources for patients with chronic heart failure
New information to help sufferers of Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) is now available for cardiologists, GPs, practice nurses and allied health professionals.
The Medical Journal of Australia published an article on its website providing information on updates to the prevention, detection and management of chronic heart failure in Australia.
The article is authored by the National Heart Foundation of Australia and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand. CHF is an ongoing condition in which the heart muscle is weakened and can’t pump as well as it normally does.
While it can be life-threatening, the symptoms can be controlled and patients can live a longer, healthier life by taking charge of the condition and working in partnership with your healthcare team.
Common symptoms of chronic heart failure include shortness of breath, tiredness, weight gain and swelling of the ankles and/or belly.
CHF accounted more than 2,700 Australian deaths in 2008.
The article provides new information on the National Heart Foundation of Australia/Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of chronic heart failure in Australia, 2006.
The update reflects new evidence in the following areas:
- Use of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) including plasma-BNP or N-terminal pro-BNP measurement in guiding treatment of chronic heart failure
- Physical activity and rehabilitation
- Pharmaco-therapy
- Use of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) in treatment of systolic heart failure
- Use of devices – biventricular pacing and left ventricular assist devices
- Treatment of cardiac arrhythmias in patients with chronic heart failure
- Multi-disciplinary care and post-discharge management programs.
The updated information will be incorporated into the 2006 guideline and an on-line integrated version will be released on the National Heart Foundation website in May 2011.
A copy of the article is available at http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/194_08_180411/kru11483_fm.html
