Preferences for treatment outcomes in patients with heart failure: Symptoms versus survival

Essential Features of a Surveillance System to Support the Prevention and Management of Heart Disease and Stroke

“…Assessment of health status directly accounts for the patient's perspective on how the disease is affecting his or her life, and many patients express a desire for quality of life that is equal to or greater than their desire for quantity of life. 119 Assessment of patient health status is consistent with the Institute of Medicine's call for more patient-centered care in order to provide the highest quality of care. 86 Thus, health status measurement should be considered for inclusion in any national surveillance of heart disease and stroke to ensure that the surveillance accounts for how well people are living, not just how long they are living.…”

Depression and cardiovascular disease

“…These outcomes are arguably as important as any potential survival benefit of surgery because survival gain is limited to specific patient subsets and many patients express a desire for quality of life equal to or greater than their desire for quantity of life. 6 This study, however, does not resolve the nature of the relationship between depression and cardiac disease. Is depression a causal risk factor, directly related to cardiovascular disease and outcome?…”

Sexual Activity and Cardiovascular Disease

“…52 Interestingly, many heart failure patients place greater importance on improving quality of life (including sexual activity) than on improving survival. 54,55 Optimal medical treatment of heart failure patients increases the likelihood of safe and satisfactory sexual activity. Exercise training improves quality of life 56 in heart failure patients and may favorably impact their sexual activity.…”