Managing Heart Failure in Primary Care

by Henry J. Dargie (Editor), Philip A. Poole-Wilson (Editor), John J. McMurray (Editor)

The clinical manifestations of heart failure are encountered on a daily basis in medical practice and yet, for many clinicians, full understanding of this condition is hindered by its multifaceted nature and consequent lack of accurate definition. This book sets out to define the components that make up heart failure syndrome, and explains how its pathological development progresses to affect the different body systems. Practical advice on the investigation and treatment of the heart failure patient is given, with individual chapters on the use of diuretics, ACE inhibitors and digoxin. The wider clinical issues are also addressed - for example, the value of patient education, non-pharmacological therapies, and the treatment of concomitant cardiac problems. The book also takes a look at the epidemiology of the disease by outlining the current status of heart failure as a public health problem, and how the situation can be improved with the instigation of preventative strategies. This volume, written by leading cardiologists, takes a very practical view of the subject from the general practice standpoint. However, it would also be of interest to hospital physicians and medical students requiring an up-to-date review on heart failure.

196 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 1996