Heart failure: an overview of the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Heart failure is a complex cardiac syndrome that has high mortality and morbidity rates, and is associated with high healthcare costs. Without prompt diagnosis and administration of key prognostic medicines, heart failure can have significant adverse effects on patients' quality of life. Patients with heart failure are commonly encountered in all healthcare settings, so it is likely that most nurses will care for them at some point in their practice. Therefore, it is important that all nurses are aware of the latest developments in the management of heart failure and the terminology used in relation to the condition. This article outlines the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of heart failure to update nurses' knowledge, thereby supporting them to identify the signs and symptoms, provide patient education and enhance outcomes.