Heart failure is a condition that occurs when the heart can no longer pump enough blood to the rest of the body. Because heart failure is often chronic, heart failure patients must work closely with their doctor to not only slow the progression of the disease but also control symptoms and improve quality of life. Achieving these goals is often a moving target which changes over time as the disease progresses.
That’s why experts covered importance of good communication and shared decision making between patients and doctors in a recent article published by the American Heart Association’s medical journal Circulation. Through shared decision making, patients and providers can ensure that patients’ values, goals and preferences guide informed decisions that are right for each individual patient. So what are the top things to know about shared decision making in heart failure care?
Why is shared decision making so important in heart failure care?
How is heart failure treated?
If you just found out you have heart failure, you may feel scared or overwhelmed. And that's OK.
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