Chronic heart failure

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a complex clinical syndrome caused by an abnormality of cardiac structure or function. This impairs the ability of the heart to pump blood to meet the needs of other organs. CHF often occurs as a result of hypertension, diabetes or other coronary diseases.

CHF is a severe, disabling condition which negatively impacts quality of life. People with CHF usually experience physical symptoms such as fatigue, sleeping difficulties, dyspnoea, oedema, depression and chest pain.

A recent analysis of care provided across NSW hospitals highlighted four key areas for improvement:

• ​diagnostics
• exacerbation management
• optimising health through ongoing care
• the last year of life.

Developed by clinicians, this initiative provides evidence based care pathways for patients to:

• reduce readmissions and have care provided outside of hospital
• increase their confidence to manage their condition
• have options after hospital discharge and at end of life.

Visit the Agency for Clinical Innovation for more information.