[What can the pharmacist do for a patient with heart failure?]

Abstract

Heart failure is a chronic and progressive pathology. Its prevalence is increasing due to aging of the population and improved care for patients with cardiovascular disease. This pathology is responsible of very significant costs, particularly because of frequent hospitalizations of patients. Heart failure cannot be cured, but can be effectively treated. The treatment aims to improve the quality of life of the patient by controlling the symptoms of the disease and prolongs life by slowing disease progression. Treatment will consist not only in good drug therapy, but also in educating the patient about his illness and his treatment. This article presents some important elements that the pharmacist must remember to provide optimal care to his patients with heart failure.