Heart failure

Transcript

Welcome to this collection of learning and assessment on the topic of heart failure.

Supporting patients to take an active role in managing their heart failure is an important role for the pharmacy team.

Medicines may change frequently to help manage the variation in symptoms and the progression of the condition. The overall aim is to help patients maintain a good quality of life and to optimise the long-term outcomes.

Regular adjustments to medicines may leave some patients feeling uncertain about how to manage their medicines in the best way. Pharmacy professionals have an important role in empowering patients to feel confident in managing their medicines and condition.

Visiting the learning on this page will help you to feel confident in your knowledge of this important topic, and to apply this when consulting with patients with heart failure. There are opportunities to test your knowledge before you start to learn. And there are some further reference links if you would like to broaden the scope of your learning.

The resources and tools we signpost to will help you deliver the best patient-centred care to patients with heart failure.

This e-learning programme provides a holistic overview of the pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of heart failure, including a presentation about considerations for end of life care. This programme will equip learners with the knowledge and skills to provide a comprehensive medicines management service to patients with this condition.

Please note: this e-learning programme has been developed and provided by the Northern Ireland Centre for Pharmacy Learning and Development (NICPLD). Users should recognise that this programme will refer to Northern Ireland's policies and organisations. After ordering this programme, you will be redirected to their website where the resource is hosted. Please be aware that CPPE does not maintain control over the accuracy and currency of this programme.

Learning Outcomes:

• identify the risk factors for developing chronic heart failure
• classify heart failure according to disease severity
• recognise the symptoms of disease progression
• describe best practice guidance in relation to both the pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of the condition
• provide advice to patients with heart failure on lifestyle changes that may alleviate symptoms
• list the palliative care needs of patients with end-stage heart failure
• identify your role in the management of this patient group.

This guideline covers diagnosing and managing chronic heart failure in people aged 18 and over. It aims to improve early diagnosis and treatment to improve the length and quality of life for people with heart failure.

Heart failure matters: Practical information for patients, families and caregivers.

Chronic heart failure- everything NICE says in an interactive flowchart.

British Heart Foundation - Heart Failure webpage.

The aim of the document is to provide practical, evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Heart Failure.