Links to further information:
http://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-topics/heart-failure/
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:
- There are many things that you, your family and your health team can do to help you feel better and stay well for as long as possible.
- Taking your medications (or pills) correctly is one of the best things you can do to stay well and feel better.
- Learn to identify your early warning symptoms so you can take action and stay out of hospital. Talk to your doctor or nurse about an action plan for you.
- Increased shortness of breath, ankle swelling and needing more pillows at night are possible early warning signs
 | Introduction, symptoms and diagnosis of heart failure | Heart Foundation - NZ | |
 | Understanding heart failure | Heart Foundation - NZ | 6 Pages |
| Easy to Read | |||
| Heart Failure Matters website | European Society of Cardiology | |
| educational website for patients & carers | Multiple Languages | ||
| Heart Failure |  | |
 | Heart failure animations | Heart Failure Matters | |
| Introduction, symptoms and diagnosis of heart failure | Heart Foundation - NZ | |
| Tests & Investigations for Heart Disease | Heart Foundation - NZ | |
| Heart Failure Matters website | European Society of Cardiology | |
| educational website for patients & carers | Multiple Languages | ||
| Staying well with heart failure booklet | Heart Foundation - NZ | 2.4 Mb |
| Published in 2010, comprehensive, easy to read booklet - very useful | |||
| Quit Smoking Information Sheet |  | 2 Pages |
| Wide range of topics and information for patients | Heart Foundation - NZ | |
| Heart Healthy Eating | Heart Foundation - NZ | 4 Pages |
| Living with Heart Failure | Heart Foundation - NZ | 24 Pages |
| Medications for heart failure | Heart Foundation - NZ | |
| Heart failure animations | Heart Failure Matters | |
| Treatment - introduction and further links | Heart Foundation - NZ | |
| Cardiac Rehabilitation | Heart Foundation - NZ | |
| Treatment and Research | | |
| Medications for heart failure | Health Navigator NZ | |
| Multiple Languages | |||
| NZ Guideline for the Management of Chronic Heart Failure - 2009 update | Heart Foundation - NZ | 1.8 Mb |
| Full version - 95 pages | |||
| Heart Failure Diagnostic Algorithm, Dec 2001 | | 1 Page |
| Heart Failure Treatment Algorithm, Dec 2001 | | 1 Page |
| NZ Cardiac Support Groups | Heart Foundation - NZ | |
| Cardiac Rehabilitation | Heart Foundation - NZ | |
| NZ Cardiac Support Groups | Heart Foundation - NZ | |
| Stronger emotional & social support helps | Heart Failure Matters | |
| Heart Failure: Frequently Asked Questions | National Institute of Health - USA | |
| Easy to Read | |||
| Heart Failure |  | |
| The Meaning of Medical Words | Heart Foundation - NZ | |
Date last reviewed 7/8/10