This guide provides a clear and concise overview of heart failure for primary care clinicians. Written by two nurse practitioners for nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, medical students, and pharmacists, it is uniquely designed to bridge the gap between cardiology and primary care. It delivers the most current recommendations outlined by the American Heart Association and the Heart Failure Society of America guidelines for the management and treatment of heart failure. 
This book includes a comprehensive overview of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Special chapters are dedicated to physical exam, interpretation and application of diagnostic testing, and the management of chronic illness in the setting of acute and chronic heart failure.  Additionally, the book provides clinicians with guidance on common medications to avoid, patient education, successful transitions of care, and conversations regarding goals of care. Each chapter includes an overview and learning objectives. The Practice Pearls and case studies found throughout the text highlight key takeaway points.  

K. Melissa Hayes, DNP, ANP-BC, CHFN, is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program.  Dr. Hayes received her BSN from Harding University, her MSN from Vanderbilt University, and her DNP from Duke University.  Dr. Hayes has over 25 years of experience as an Adult Nurse Practitioner and continues to practice in the Heart and Vascular Clinic at Nashville General Hospital focusing on the heart failure population. Her primary teaching responsibilities include Advanced Health Assessment, Primary Care and Clinical Instruction for Nurse Practitioners.  Chronic disease management of the heart failure patient as well as heart failure education is Dr. Hayes area of expertise. Dr. Hayes frequently lectures about heart failure at the local and national level.   
Nicole R. Dellise, DNP, FNP-BC, CHFN, is the Structural Heart ProgramDirector at TriStar Centennial. She is also an Instructor of Nursing in the Family Nurse Practitioner Program at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. She began her career as a heart failure nurse in 2008. She then received her Masters in Nursing from Belmont University in 2012 followed by her Doctorate in Nursing in 2017.  Dr. Dellise has a strong passion for improving heart failure care across the continuum. She has led hospital wide heart failure quality improvement projects and developed educational programs for hospital nursing staff. Additionally, Dr. Dellise has served as a peer reviewer for a reputable heart failure nursing journal.  Dr. Dellise is a published author in the area of heart failure. She has spoken locally and nationally.

Chapter 1 Introduction.- Section 1: What is Heart Failure?.- Chapter 2 Pathophysiology of Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction.- Chapter 3 Pathophysiology of Heart failure with Preserved ejection Fraction.- Chapter 4 Heart Failure across the population:  Epidemiology Chapter 5 Classifications and Stages of Heart Failure.- Section 2:  Manifestations of Heart Failure:  History and Physical Exam Findings.-  Chapter 6 Comprehensive Heart Failure History.- Chapter 7 Physical Exam Findings.- Chapter 8  Determining Volume Status by Physical Exam.- Section 3: Cardiology Referral: Guide to Initial Testing.- Chapter 9 Transthoracic Echocardiogram.- Chapter 10 Cardiac MRI.- Chapter 11 Right Heart Catherization.- Chapter 12 Ischemic Evaluation.- Section 4:  Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction.- Chapter 13 Etiology.- Chapter 14 Prevention.- Chapter 15 Outpatient Management with Case Study.- Section 5: Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction.-  Chapter 16 Etiology.- Chapter 17 Prevention.- Chapter 18 Outpatient Management with Case Study.- Section 6:  Heart Failure and the Management of Co-Morbidities in Primary Care.- Chapter 19 Atrial Fibrillation in the presence of Heart Failure.- Chapter 20 Chronic Kidney Disease, Cardiorenal Syndrome Failure and Anemia.- Chapter 21 Diabetes and Heart Failure.- Chapter 22 Hypertension, Obesity and Thyroid Disease and Heart Failure.- Chapter 23 Sleep Apnea, COPD and Heart Failure.- Chapter 24 Pulmonary Hypertension and Heart Failure.- Chapter 25 Liver Disease and Heart Failure.- Chapter 26 Treatment of Gout and Heart Failure.- Chapter 27 Lifestyle Choices and Heart Failure: Substance abuse.- Chapter 28 Depression and Heart Failure.- Chapter 29 Medications to Avoid when Treating Heart Failure.- Section 7: Transitioning the Heart Failure Patient from Hospital to Home.- Chapter 30 Discharge planning and teaching.- Chapter 31 Initial post discharge clinic visit.- Chapter 32 Self carestrategies for the heart failure patient.- Section 8:  Goals of Care for the Heart Failure Patient.- Chapter 33  Goals of Care discussions.- Chapter 34 Components of Palliative care for the heart failure patient.- Chapter 35  End of Life Best Practice.