Heart failure is an incredibly common condition managed in general practice.

One of the commonest causes for hospitalisation of heart failure patients is non-adherence to therapy and/or dietary or fluid restriction.

In addition, rates of prescriptions of ACE inhibitors and beta blockers in hospitalised patients with heart failure is often lower than recommended.

Early diagnosis,prescription of prognosis-modifying drugs and adherence to current guidelines is the key for managing patients with heart failure, preventing deterioration and improving their quality of life, says cardiologist Dr Andrew Sindone, a specialist in the management of heart failure.