Cardiovascular care in the older adult: Heart failure

Heart failure is a clinical syndrome of signs and symptoms which occurs due to a functional or structural abnormality of the heart, which in turn results in reduced cardiac output. 
 
There are nearly 1 million people in the UK living with heart failure and prevalence is increasing in populations worldwide. Adding to the complexity in managing heart failure the UK has an increasingly aging, multiple co-morbid population. 
 
Heart failure accounts for 5% of all emergency hospital admissions and 2% of total NHS expenditure and is a growing socio- economic burden.
 

Key guidelines

• Chronic heart failure in adults: diagnosis and management: NICE guideline [NG106] - National Institute for Health and Care Excellent (NICE)
  This guideline covers diagnosis and management of chronic heart failure in adults. It aims to improve diagnosis and treatment to increase length and quality of life for people with HF.

• Acute heart failure: diagnosis and management: Clinical guideline [CG187] - National Institute for Health and Care Excellent (NICE)
  This guideline covers diagnosing and managing acute heart failure or possible acute heart failure in adults. It aims to improve the immediate management of someone who is acutely unwell as a result of heart failure.

• Acute and Chronic Heart Failure Guidelines - ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines
  This comprehensive document provides practical, evidence- based guidelines for the diagnosis and management of heart failure.

• Management of chronic heart failure: SIGN 147 - Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN)
  This excellent document provides evidence-based recommendations and best practice guidance on the management of patients with chronic heart failure. It provides recommendations on diagnosis, lifestyle, modification, pharmacological and interventional therapies, organisational planning and palliative care. This guideline will be of interest to all healthcare professionals involved in the management of patients with heart failure, including cardiac nurses, cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, general practitioners, pharmacists, psychologists, as well as patients and carers.