Planning for the future

You may be very reluctant to speak to your partner or relative about what to expect in the future with their health. These issues are extremely difficult to raise, especially when you are trying to be positive.

However, it’s very important that you and your partner or relative bear in mind that planning for the future is not the same as giving up. This is actually a way for you both to cope and control the situation better and make things easier for all concerned. Although it’s difficult to initiate, dealing with these issues can bring a great deal of peace of mind to you and your family, leaving you to focus your energies on living a full life.

As soon as you feel up to it, talk with your partner or relative about drawing up an advance care directive. This involves looking at preparing documents, which explain your partner or relative’s wishes for medical care in the future, in the event he or she becomes unable to communicate. Click here for more information on planning for your partner or relative’s end of life.

You may find this is also a good time to make sure that financial matters, including wills and life insurance policies, are in order.

ESC Guidelines for Heart Failure

What patients need to know

This guide for patients from the European Society of Cardiology aims to provide an overview of the latest evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure.

In particular, it should help patients to understand the:

  • main types of heart failure
  • medicines used to treat heart failure
  • devices that may be appropriate
  • importance of rehabilitation
  • management by a multidisciplinary team
  • importance of self-care in managing your own condition

Learn more

AN ANIMATED JOURNEY THROUGH HEART FAILURE

A series of 9 simple, captivating animations explaining heart failure and its treatment.

These narrated animations explain how a healthy heart works, what happens to it in heart failure and how various treatments work to improve your health.

PATIENT AND CAREGIVERS VIDEOS

In this section you can watch, listen or read interviews with other people with heart failure and their caregivers.

VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

and share your own views and experiences with other patients, families and caregivers.

heartfailurematters.org is a European Society of Cardiology website

The heartfailurematters.org website was developed under the direction of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). The ESC is a world leader in the discovery and dissemination of best practices in cardiovascular medicine. Our members and decision-makers are healthcare professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to represent professionals in the field of cardiology in Europe and beyond.

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