Novartis Cardiovascular Summit Focuses on Heart Failure
An Expert Cardiologist Advocates For Heart Failure Clinics For Improved Palliative Care.
Today in Nigeria, statistics show that 50 percent of patients suffering from heart failure will die within five years of diagnosis.
A distinguished Professor of Medicine and Consultant Cardiologist at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Michael Balogun, revealed this while speaking at the 2018 Novartis International Cardiovascular Summit recently in Lagos, which focused on Heart Failure management
Prof. Balogun, who lamented that the burden of heart failure is now very huge, went on to advocate for the establishment of heart failure clinics, noting that there are strong indications that having such clinics will help to improve treatment outcome of patients.
He said that recent research has shown that heart failure clinics are needed to improve care stating that optimal care for heart failure now requires a multidisciplinary approach, which should involve effective palliative care.
In his opinion, such care will focus on improving quality of life, managing of pain and symptoms, as well addressing the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of patients.
According to Balogun, palliative care must be:
- A fundamental part of patients’ care and be introduced early
- Be coordinated through a shared-care approach to ensure patients embrace and become part of the idea.
- And should include frequent assessment of symptoms and other co-morbidities while focusing on relief of symptoms.
He also explained that the recommended treatment goals for patients with heart failure are to improve clinical status, functional capacity and quality of life, as well as prevent hospital admissions while reducing mortality.
