Heart failure should be considered in patients presenting with breathlessness in primary care, with B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) being an important initial test for diagnosis. Various causes of heart failure exist, each with specific treatment options. The condition is prevalent worldwide, impacting quality of life and associated with high morbidity and mortality. Recent updates to clinical practice guidelines emphasize the importance of early detection and management of heart failure in primary care settings. A new classification system proposed in 2021 recognizes pre-heart failure stages without symptoms, as well as symptomatic stages requiring treatment. Management strategies target both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients to reduce progression to more severe stages.
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Non-acute heart failure management in primary care
