ABC of heart failure: Heart failure in general practice

ABC of heart failure. History and epidemiology.

Heart failure is the end stage of all diseases of the heart and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. It is estimated to account for about 5% of admissions to hospital medical wards, with over 100 000 annual admissions in the United Kingdom. The overall prevalence of heart failure is 3-20 per 1000 population, although this exceeds 100 per 1000 in those aged 65 years and over. The annual ...

Investigation in general practice of patients with suspected heart failure.

Prevalence, aetiology and management of heart failure in general practice.

BACKGROUND There is a high level of morbidity and mortality among patients with heart failure. Management of the condition has changed substantially in recent years. However, there is little information on the management of heart failure in general practice. AIM A study was carried out in 1994 to assess the prevalence, aetiology and management of heart failure in a general practice setting. ...

Treatment of heart failure in Dutch general practice

BACKGROUND To study the relation between the prescription rates of selected cardiovascular drugs (ACE-inhibitors and Angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers, diuretics, and combinations), sociodemographic factors (age, gender and socioeconomic class) and concomitant diseases (hypertension, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular accident, heart valve disease, atrial fibrillation, diabetes ...

Echocardiography in heart failure - a guide for general practice.

BACKGROUND Echocardiography is an essential investigation in patients with suspected heart failure. An echocardiogram provides assessment of cardiac chamber size and structure, ventricular function, valvular function and key haemodynamic parameters. OBJECTIVE This article explains the principles of echocardiography and how general practitioners can use echocardiograms to manage patients with ...