Heart failure occurs when the heart begins to function less effectively in pumping blood around the body. It can occur suddenly, although it usually develops slowly as the heart gradually becomes weaker. Heart failure can result from a variety of diseases and conditions that impair or overload the heart. These include heart attack, high blood pressure, damaged heart valves or cardiomyopathy.
Heart Failure Workshops
The ACvA convened a series of national meetings and workshops, facilitated by Professors Peter Macdonald and Patricia Davidson to identify research priorities across the research pipeline that, if addressed, have the potential to improve HF management, enhance patient outcomes, and reduce hospital readmission and health system pressures. From these workshops heart failure and frailty was identified as a key research priority and several follow-on workshops were held to discuss how frailty in heart failure patients could be addressed to improve health outcomes and quality of life.
Heart Failure and Frailty Priority Area
Heart failure and frailty frequently coexist, exacerbating each other's impact and resulting in poorer outcomes. Many frail heart failure patients do not receive guideline-recommended treatments due to perceived risks, despite frailty being largely reversible through exercise, diet, social support systems, and appropriate medication.
Frailty is not routinely assessed in clinical practice despite being a strong predictor of poor health outcomes. There is currently no consensus on when or how to measure frailty, even though assessment is essential for identifying individuals who may benefit from interventions. Proven programs that prepare high-risk, frail patients before heart surgery are effective (prehabilitation) but not widely used. There's an urgent need for standardised approaches in this important area.
Co-leads: Dr Julee McDonagh and Professor Caleb Ferguson.
Heart Failure is an unmet need
Every day, heart failure claims the lives of nine Australians. It’s a serious and often overlooked condition that affects the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively, leading to fatigue, shortness of breath, and reduced quality of life.
Australians are living with heart failure.
in healthcare expenditure was attributed to Heart Failure in 2022-23.
Stroke Rehabilitation Priorities
Project Title | Description |
|---|---|
Automating Frailty Detection in Heart Failure Patients Using AI |
News and Publications
Browse the latest blog articles, research insights, and educational resources in cardiovascular and stroke health.
Dr Julee McDonagh - Improving Outcomes for Heart Failure Patients Affected by Frailty
Dr. Julee McDonagh’s career journey from nursing to research has always been driven by a desire to improve clinical practice and patient outcomes. Like many researchers, her direction has been shaped by chance encounters, sideways roles and inspirational colleagues.
Press Release: National Initiative Aims to Improve Outcomes for Heart Failure Patients Affected by Frailty
Approximately 50% of adults living with Heart Failure are classified as frail, resulting in poorer health outcomes, higher hospitalisations, and increased mortality rates.
Professor Caleb Ferguson - Fostering Unified Efforts to Enhance Patient Outcomes in Heart Failure and Frailty
National multidisciplinary collaboration is vital for advancing cardiovascular research and care. By breaking down silos and incorporating diverse perspectives, particularly those of patients, researchers can ensure their work has a meaningful impact on improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
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