Authors

  1. Cheek, Dennis J. RN, PhD, FAHA
  2. Sherrod, Melissa M. RN, PhD
  3. Graulty, Roger BS
  4. Hawkins, Johnathon BSN

Abstract

Heart failure in the United States is a growing epidemic, with approximately 550,000 new cases per year. An increasing number of patients are treated at home with drugs that require a working knowledge of both the syndrome and the various therapeutic agents in use. New understanding of the syndrome has led to a paradigm shift from treating signs and symptoms to increasing long-term survival. This article focuses on the syndrome as it relates to common agents prescribed for the patient in the home setting.