Heart Failure in Primary Care

Primary Care / Family Medicine, Cardiology (Heart & Vascular)

Patients with heart failure are commonly managed by primary care physicians, with approximately 10% of patients attending a specialist clinic. But many patients with heart failure do not have optimal medical therapy. This may be because of either patient, clinician, or system challenges; geographic or temporal difficulties accessing speciality care; or patient complexity and multi-morbidity. Evidence shows that there are methods that can assist physicians in optimizing care, including creating better links between specialists and primary care physicians, and allowing for polypharmacy in patients with greater absolute risk, where lifesaving and life-improving medications exist. 

ThePLP launched an innovative new program, led by Dr. Justin Ezekowitz in partnership with the Edmonton Southside PCN and the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute. At the pan-PCN webinar, Heart Failure in Primary Care - Bridging from Guidelines to Practice, Dr. Ezekowitz addressed advances in care for patients with heart failure, illustrated updated methods to diagnose heart failure, and explained the new understanding of disease, including modifying medications for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.