Chronic heart failure occurs when the heart becomes weaker or less effective.1 It is most commonly seen in older adults, with two-thirds of those affected being 65 and over.2 The average survival rate following a heart failure diagnosis is around five years,3 and the condition is linked to high rates of hospitalisation. In 2020–21, Australia saw approximately 179,000 hospital admissions related to heart failure.2 Coordinated care within the community can help reduce these hospitalisations by effectively managing the health of individuals with heart failure.
Pharmacists play a crucial role in optimising the management of heart failure through comprehensive medication reviews by providing evidence-based counselling focussing on clinical outcomes, supporting patient adherence and providing regularly updated written medicines lists. Additionally, pharmacists make medicines management recommendations to GPs highlighting potential adverse effects, identifying poor therapeutic responses, the need for dosage adjustments, and any drug-drug or drug-disease interactions.
The below resources have been specifically designed to enable pharmacists to access the latest evidence-based updates on medication management recommendations for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). You will learn how quadruple therapy improves survival rates and reduces hospitalisations, as well as stay informed about the updated strategies for initiating and titrating quadruple therapy.
