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Self‐care management of heart failure: practical recommendations from the Patient Care Committee of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology
Author(s) -
Lainscak Mitja,
Blue Lynda,
Clark Andrew L.,
Dahlström Ulf,
Dickstein Kenneth,
Ekman Inger,
McDonagh Theresa,
McMurray John J.,
Ryder Mary,
Stewart Simon,
Strömberg Anna,
Jaarsma Tiny
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
european journal of heart failure
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.149
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1879-0844
pISSN - 1388-9842
DOI - 10.1093/eurjhf/hfq219
Subject(s) - medicine , heart failure , quality of life (healthcare) , health professionals , health care , disease management , intensive care medicine , family medicine , nursing , alternative medicine , cardiology , health management system , pathology , economics , economic growth
Guidelines on heart failure (HF) stress the importance of lifestyle advice, although there is little evidence that such recommendations improve symptoms or prognosis. Patients experience symptoms of different intensities which impair their daily activities and reduce the quality‐of‐life. To cope with their clinical condition, many patients seek advice about lifestyle and self‐management strategies when in contact with medical care providers, particularly specialized HF services. Self‐care management is an important part of HF treatment, thus health professionals working with patients with HF have recognized the need for more specific recommendations on lifestyle advice. The present paper summarizes the available evidence, promotes self‐care management, and aims to provide practical advice for health professionals delivering care to HF patients. It also defines avenues of research to optimize self‐care strategies in a number of key areas to derive further benefits.