Palliative Care

Palliative care aims to support patients in finding what is personally important to them in their lives with an incurable illness. It helps to provide such care and support for them and their loved ones so that they can live with dignity and without suffering until the very end. It is by no means limited to medication and medical issues; psychological and spiritual aspects and care for the family and loved ones as a whole also come to the fore.

What is the typical course of heart failure?

Heart failure is a disease that can be completely cured in only a small proportion of patients. In most patients, periods of stability or slow progression are followed by acute deterioration, known as decompensation. After treatment of decompensation, heart function usually does not return completely to its previous level. Decompensation is common in some patients, while others may be completely stable for a long time. However, most patients eventually reach a stage where their life can no longer be prolonged and heart failure reaches its final stage. For some, this can happen quickly, for others it can take several decades.

Palliative care comes into play in the final stage

Palliative care is mainly discussed in relation to cancer patients, but it can also help with other serious illnesses. From a medical point of view, palliative care for patients with heart failure focuses on pain control, relief of shortness of breath, fatigue, and other unpleasant symptoms. The basic principle is to respect the patient’s autonomy and proceed according to their wishes.

Benefits of palliative care
Improved quality of life: Palliative care focuses on alleviating physical and psychological symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, anxiety, or depression. It provides medication, oxygen concentrators, assistive devices, and other equipment.

Support in decision-making: Heart failure often requires difficult treatment decisions, such as implanting a cardiac defibrillator or performing a heart transplant. Palliative care helps patients and their families understand treatment options, their benefits and risks, and how these choices will affect their quality of life. It offers understanding if the patient decides to undergo the procedure, just as it does if they decide to refuse it.

Care coordination: The palliative care team works with cardiologists and other doctors to ensure that all parties have sufficient information about the patient’s condition, wishes, and treatment plan.

Support for families: Support for families and loved ones is also key. It helps them better understand the disease, provides emotional and practical support, and ensures that they have access to the necessary resources and information.