Approximately 300,000 Australians are believed to suffer from heart failure or chronic heart failure at any one time, and at least 10% of Australians aged over 65 years will develop the condition.

Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle has become too weak to pump blood through the body as effectively as normal. This causes blood to 'dam up' behind the heart and fluid to collect in the lungs and other body tissues (oedema). This can result in tiredness, shortness of breath and swelling in the legs or ankles.

Useful information for people with heart failure or their carers can be found in the information sheet below. It includes an 'action plan', which will remind you of the important things to do every day and when to call your health professional or an ambulance. The information sheet is a summary version of our booklet "Living well with chronic heart failure". To order your copy of the booklet, call our Health Information Service on 1300 36 27 87 or email us.

To find out about the causes, diagnosis, treatment and management of chronic heart failure, use the navigation bar at the right of this page.

Resources

Chronic heart failure - information sheet (includes action plan)
  Download

Contact Us

For further information, call our Health Information Service on 1300 36 27 87 or email us.