title: Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of people with chronic heart failure in Australia 2006.
abstract: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is found in 1.5%-2.0% of Australians. Considered rare in people aged less than 45 years, its prevalence increases to over 10% in people aged >/= 65 years. CHF is one of the most common reasons for hospital admission and general practitioner consultation in the elderly (>/= 70 years). Common causes of CHF are ischaemic heart disease (present in > 50% of new cases), hypertension (about two-thirds of cases) and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (around 5%-10% of cases). Diagnosis is based on clinical features, chest x-ray and objective measurement of ventricular function (eg, echocardiography). Plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) may have a role in diagnosis, primarily as a test for exclusion. Diagnosis may be strengthened by a beneficial clinical response to treatment(s) directed towards amelioration of symptoms. Management involves prevention, early detection, amelioration of disease progression, relief of symptoms, minimisation of exacerbations, and prolongation of survival.
authors.affiliation: NHMRC Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Therapeutics, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, and Department of Medicine, Monash University, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Krum
authors.forename: Michael V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Jelinek
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sindone
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Atherton
authors.forename: Anna L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Hawkes
mesh_terms: D000359:Aftercare; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000601:surgery; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D010808:Physical Examination; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control