When Is Palliative Care for Heart Failure Necessary?

Chances are that someone you know has been affected by cardiac disease—and perhaps even heart failure. Nearly 6.5 million Americans over 20 have heart failure, and heart failure is responsible for 8.5% of heart disease deaths.

Palliative care for heart failure can help those facing this challenging disease by managing symptoms and providing medical support.

Many don’t realize that palliative care is available at any age or in any state of serious illness diagnosis. At Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, our compassionate palliative care services help ensure that patients’ symptoms are well-controlled, which can greatly improve their quality of life.

While most people think of cancer when they hear “palliative care,” this type of care is actually available for several different diagnoses, such as advanced kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, and other serious, life-limiting illnesses.

But when is it appropriate to seek palliative care for heart failure? While palliative care can begin at any stage, we’ll provide some signs that it is time to contact one of our dedicated team members who can help you or your loved one during this challenging time.

When Is Palliative Care for Heart Failure Necessary?

First, we feel it’s important to understand that palliative care can begin as soon as the patient receives a heart failure diagnosis. In many cases, the families we serve tell us that they wish they had sought palliative and hospice care sooner. Remember that you do not have to be in hospice to have the benefits of palliative care.

However, if you or your loved one is experiencing any of the following signs, we encourage you to talk to our Lower Cape Fear LifeCare team about how we can best serve you.

These signs include:

  • Frequent hospitalization or ER visits
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Symptoms that aren’t well-controlled
  • Frequent falls
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Reduced mobilities

Common Symptoms of Heart Failure Patients in Palliative Care

Our goal in palliative care is to minimize symptoms, enabling you or your loved one to concentrate on quality of life, whether enjoying a leisurely stroll on the beach or a quiet moment with friends.

The most common symptoms of heart failure we see in palliative care include:

  • Difficulty breathing (called dyspnea)
  • Pain
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Edema

What Does Palliative Care Do for Heart Failure?

Palliative care provides symptom management, a better quality of life, enhanced communication, and relief for caregivers. In addition, our palliative care professionals can adjust treatment plans as needed because heart failure symptoms and even the patient’s condition can transform over time. Therefore, it’s vital to have a flexible perspective on patient care.

But before we delve further into this, it’s important to review the differences between hospice and palliative care.

The Difference Between Hospice and Palliative Care

  • Hospice care is appropriate if the patient is given six months or less to live, if the disease follows its natural progression. If you are in hospice, you can no longer seek treatments to cure the disease.
  • Palliative care begins at any age or stage of a serious illness. You can still seek curative treatments when you are in palliative care.

hospice vs. palliative care

What Does Heart Failure Palliative Care Consist Of?

When seeking palliative care for heart failure, it’s crucial to have a team that thoroughly understands the importance of serving the whole family. At Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, we offer this extended level of care along with our medical strategies and treatments to ease symptoms. We work closely with the cardiologist and other medical team members to provide comprehensive and compassionate services.

Heart failure palliative care may consist of:

  • Medication administration for symptom relief
  • Emotional support
  • Discussion of treatment goals
  • Help coordinating care
  • Providing relief for family caregivers
  • Assistance with advanced life planning, such as advance directives and living wills

Let Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Provide the Compassionate Palliative Care for Heart Failure That You or Your Loved One Deserves

Heart failure is a serious diagnosis that can have a devastating impact on quality of life. Through our palliative care, we can help manage symptoms and provide both medical and emotional support.

Why Choose Lower Cape Fear LifeCare?

Not only do we have a long-standing tradition of providing the highest quality services to our region, but we’re continually expanding and meeting the changing healthcare needs of our community.

Our dedication to excellence has received national recognition: Our care met or exceeded the national average on a caregivers’ survey.

If you or someone you love is facing a serious diagnosis like heart failure, we encourage you to contact us. Don’t wait to get the support you need.