Anatomy and Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Course overview

Among Medicare patients with heart failure (HF), it is estimated that 1 in 4 are readmitted within 30 days of hospital discharge. This HF certificate program consists of seven modules and is aimed at nurses, therapists, and case managers working in all healthcare settings. Home care clinicians in particular must possess a high level of knowledge to effectively assess and monitor for signs of worsening HF, and all clinicians have responsibility for patient and family education. The first course in this series focuses on helping clinicians understand how blood flows through both the normal and the failing heart. The differences between systolic and diastolic HF are explained. Clinicians will benefit from a greater understanding of two types of heart failure, stages of HF, and how the body compensates for the failing heart.