Table 4.

 List of subjects to discuss with a heart failure patient and his or her family

General advice

• Explanation of heart failure and why symptoms occur

• Causes of heart failure

• How to recognise symptoms

• What to do if symptoms occur

• Self weighing

• Rationale of treatments

• Importance of adhering to pharmacological and non-pharmacological prescriptions

• Refrain from smoking

• Prognosis

• Advanced directives

Drug counselling

• Nature of each drug, dosing and time of administration

• Side effects and adverse affects

• Signs of intoxication

• What to do in case of skipped doses

• Compliance strategies

Activity, exercise, rest

• Work, leisure activities and travel

• Rest

• Energy conserving suggestions

• Daily physical activity

• Sexual activity

• Rehabilitation: exercise programme

• Compliance strategies

Vaccinations

Symptom assessment and management

• Expected symptoms versus symptoms of worsening heart failure

• Self monitoring of daily weights

• Actions in case of increased symptoms

• Dealing with psychological symptoms

• Self management (for example, diuretics)

Dietary and social habits

• Control sodium intake when necessary

• Avoid excessive fluids in severe heart failure

• Avoid excessive alcohol intake

• Smoking cessation

• Compliance strategies