Heart Failure
“In heart failure, the heart cannot pump enough blood through the body. The heart cannot fill with enough blood or pump with enough force, or both. Heart failure develops over time as the pumping action of the heart gets weaker. It can affect either the right, the left, or both sides of the heart. Heart failure does not mean that the heart has stopped working or is about to stop working.” (ref: National Institute of Health)
Key Points:
- Many people think that heart failure sounds rather final and that it’s too late to do anything about it. This is not true. There are many things that you, your family and your health team can do to help you to feel better and stay well for as long as possible.
- Many people say that one of the hardest things about living with heart failure is taking their pills. It helps to remember that taking your pills correctly is the best thing you can do to stay well. The right pills can help your heart work at its best and make you feel better.
- Heart failure can cause you to have symptoms and feel unwell. If you can identify these symptoms early, you can take action to feel better and stay out of hospital. Talk to your doctor or nurse about an action plan for you
 | Heart Failure | National Heart Foundation | |
| Heart Failure | Best Treatments | |
| Heart Failure |  | |
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| A Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure: Health Professionals Guide, Dec 2001 | | 32 Pages |
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| NZ Cardiac Support Groups | National Heart Foundation | |
| Cardiac Rehabilitation | National Heart Foundation | |
| NZ Cardiac Support Groups | National Heart Foundation | |
| Heart Failure: Frequently Asked Questions | National Institute of Health - USA | |
| Easy to Read | |||
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| The Meaning of Medical Words | National Heart Foundation | |
| Links - Heart Health-Related Websites | National Heart Foundation | |