Treatment Options for Congestive Heart Failure

Goals of Treatment for Congestive Heart Failure

Goals of therapy for patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) include improvement in the quality of life, reduction in the occurrence of acute episodes, decreased mortality and improved length of survival. Another goal is to decrease the likelihood of arrhythmia, which may be a cause of sudden death in persons with heart failure. Recent advances in the management of CHF have helped to keep patients out of the hospital and comfortable in the home for much longer periods. Often, the primary care provider will refer the patient to a cardiologist for consultation and sometimes ongoing monitoring, to ensure optimal management of the patient's condition.

Many new programs utilize nurses, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants to monitor patients at home by maintaining close telephone contact. Patients are usually asked to weigh themselves daily and to report an increase of 3 or more pounds. The goal is to maintain the "dry weight" determined by the health care provider, and to adjust medications accordingly if the patient is found to be retaining increased amounts of fluid.