An Overview of Supportive Care in Heart Failure

This chapter provides an introduction to the concept of supportive care in heart failure (HF). It starts by presenting the concepts of supportive and palliative care. It addresses the delivery of supportive care and the framework for supportive care in HF. It is shown that the comprehensive HF care combines evidence-based HF care and supportive care. Further study is important to determine how best to enhance quality of life and reduce the symptoms and burdens associated with HF. While challenges presented by delivery and reimbursement systems may require organized schemes to achieve comprehensive HF care, framing supportive care as integral to comprehensive HF care allows clinicians to better meet the needs of the patient and family now recognized as essential to 'patient-centered care'.