MONDAY, Nov. 5, 2007 (HealthDay News) -- Intensive support from a heart failure nurse and a multidisciplinary team improves the likelihood that heart failure patients will comply with crucial non-medical interventions, such as salt and fluid restrictions and regular weighing, says a study by Dutch researchers.
"We examined the effect of education and counseling by heart failure nurses on adherence to nonpharmacologic treatments, because these are so important to the patients' survival," lead author Martje H.L. van der Wal, a cardiology nurse researcher at the University of Groningen, said in a prepared statement.
The 18-month study looked at 1,023 heart failure patients, average age 71, treated at 17 hospitals. The patients were divided into three groups:
During the study:
The researchers also found that more patients in the support groups were aware of important symptoms of worsening heart failure and when to call health-care providers.
"Support from a heart failure nurse can help patients to cope with the difficult and complex regimen they have for their heart failure and to incorporate the regimen into their daily lives," van der Wal said.
The study was to be presented Monday at the American Heart Association annual meeting in Orlando, Fla.
More information
The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has more about heart failure.