Deaths from chronic heart failure up
February 11, 2013
Chronic heart failure occurs in
1.5-2% of the Australian
population; however it occurs in
10% of people aged 65 years and
over, and in more than 50% of
people aged 85 years and over.
30,000 new cases are diagnosed
each year, and with an ageing
population this number is likely to
rise. It is important to note that
while deaths from heart disease
are falling overall, there is an
increase in the number of people
dying from chronic heart failure
(up 11% since 2001).
The major causes of heart
failure include ischaemic heart
disease and hypertension -
conditions with a high rate of non
compliance with medication, so
pharmacists can play a major role
in preventing and delaying the
progression of heart failure by
targeting non adherence and
monitoring patients.
Treatment of chronic heart
failure involves both
pharmacological and non
pharmacological measures.
Primary care support of patients
with heart failure includes advice
on sodium restriction and the
selection of low salt food,
appropriate fluid intake, regular
daily weighing, restricted alcohol
use, appropriate physical activity,
assistance with smoking
cessation, and reminders of
regular influenza and
pneumococcal vaccinations.
Non pharmacological aspects of
management can have a positive
impact on the quality of life of
people living with chronic heart
failure.
This
week’s contributor
is Professor Peter
Carroll from the
University of Sydney, who’s a
presenter at PSA NSW’s Annual
Therapeutic Update.
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