The Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS)
Pocket Guide: Is it Heart Failure and What Should I Do?
This pocket guide is a quick-reference tool that features diagnostic and management recommendations based on the CCS Heart Failure Comprehensive Guidelines (2017) and the CCS/CHFS Heart Failure Guidelines updates (2020 and 2021). These recommendations are intended to provide a reasonable and practical approach to the care of patients with HF. The intended audience is primary care physicians, specialists, nurses and allied health professionals. Recommendations are subject to change as scientific knowledge and technology advance and practice patterns evolve, and are not intended to be a substitute for clinical judgment. Adherence to these recommendations will not necessarily produce successful outcomes in every case. Please visit www.ccs.ca for more information or additional resources.
CCS guideline videos, tools and additional resources and Heart Failure e-guidelines available here
Heart Failure Medication Initiation and Titration Algorithms
Comprehensive guidelines exist to assist in the management of heart failure, and are continually being updated based on new research findings.
Download the Heart Failure Medication Initiation and Titration Algorithms
Patient Information, Tools, Resources, Videos, and Support
There are a few things that are really important to help you manage your heart failure and stay out of hospital. We encourage you and your family to look at the resources below before your appointment so you can ask any questions you have when we see you. Important information:
- Heart Failure Education Class – We invite you to watch our 1-hour long online heart failure education class. You will hear from a nurse, dietitian, physiotherapist, and pharmacist about ways to help you and your family make changes that can help:
- Reduce your symptoms of heart failure
- Guide you on how to stay active
- Learn more about your medications
- The Heart and Stroke Foundation – Living with Heart Failure booklet – this booklet provides an overview of heart failure, medications, and tips for self-management.
- Heart Failure Zones (found on page 7) – we suggest you print this out and keep it on your fridge so you can screen yourself easily every day!
- Fluid restriction information – find out your fluid limit for each day
- Salt restriction information – find out your salt limit for each day
Complete listing of important patient information and resources
