This World Heart Day the Alliance for Heart Failure is focusing on the importance of improving the early diagnosis of heart failure. The NHS Long Term Plan states that 80% of heart failure cases are diagnosed in hospitals, despite 40% of patients having symptoms that could have triggered an earlier assessment in primary care. 

Early diagnosis is one of the crucial requirements for reducing the burden and saving lives, ensuring patients have timely and equitable access to life-saving treatment and rehabilitation. Yet across the country, too many patients receive a late diagnosis, dramatically reducing their chances of survival. 

The good news is that there is a growing awareness amongst those who come into contact with these undiagnosed cases of heart failure. The Alliance has been working with community pharmacists, practice nurses, and other healthcare professionals in primary care to improve awareness of the condition and an understanding of how to put patients on life saving pathways. 

If you are interested in getting involved in our growing campaigns, or sharing some of expert led resources, you can get in touch with us ahf@3nine.co.uk. Together we can work to reduce the burden of heart failure.