Heart failure is a progressive disorder in which damage to the heart causes weakening of the cardiovascular system. It manifests by fluid congestion or inadequate blood flow to tissues. Heart failure may result from one or the sum of many causes and progresses by underlying heart injury or inappropriate responses of the body to heart impairment. It must be managed not only in relation to the state of the heart, but the condition of the circulation, lungs, neuroendocrine system and other organs. The prevalence of heart failure approximately doubles with each decade of life. It is a leading cause of emergency admissions.

Due to the aging population and improved survival in patients with other cardiovascular conditions, the occurrence of heart failure is rising, together with other conditions that complicate its treatment. Even when symptoms are absent or controlled, impaired heart function implies a reduced duration of survival. Fortunately, many factors that can prevent heart failure and improve outcome are known and can be applied at any stage.

Axis-Shield UK has a range of testing devices available that can help PCTs manage heart failure patients more effectively and reduce emergency admissions. These include the Abbott i-STAT instrument - a revolutionary, handheld analyser that provides reliable, lab-accurate test results in minutes for a whole range of parameters, including BNP.

To find out how Axis-Shield can help you manage heart failure patients more effectively, whilst delivering very significant cost savings, please call us on 01480 862100 or email: CHF@axis-shielduk.com