It is important to note that no book or website can be a substitute for personal medical advice but can be useful to supplement that advice. For those who wish to understand more about their condtion the following may be helpful:
BOOKS
Everyday guide to living with heart failure
Living with heart failure
One step at a time - living with heart failure
Caring for someone with a heart condition
Collections
Heart Failure in Clinical Practice 2nd Edition
Ed.J JV McMurray & JGF Cleland. 2000. Pub.Martin Dunitz, London.
ISBN 1 85317-561-7
Reference
A Colour Handbook of Heart Failure; Investigation, Diagnosis and Treatment
MD Sosin, G Bhatia, GYH Lip, MK Davies. 2006 Pub. Manson Publishing
ISBN 1840760591
Heart Failure - A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment
Ed. G William Dec. 2005. Pub.Marcel Dekker, New York.
ISBN 0-8247-5827-7
Heart Failure - A Companion to Braunwald's Heart Disease
Ed. Douglas L Mann. 2004. Pub.Saunders, Philadelphia
ISBN 0-7216-9445-4
Understanding Heart Failure by Professor JGF Cleland
Published in Assoc.with the BMA by Family Doctor Books
Updated in 2008. ISBN-10: 1 903474 15 9
WEBSITES
British Cardiac Patients Association
Offers help, support, reassurance and advice to cardiac patients, their families and carers. Provides access to bimonthly journal and support groups. Click here for further information.
British Heart Foundation
Information and support available for people with heart conditions. This charitable organisation funds research, promotes education and raises money to help buy equipment to treat those with heart disease. The British Heart Foundation's publication 'An everyday guide to living with heart failure' is available here.
Cardiomyopathy Association
Gives information, support and advice on the main forms of the heart muscle disease known as Cardiomyopathy.
European Society of Cardiology
The ESC website: www.heartfailurematters.org
is dedicated to patients and their carers and gives excellent information on lifestyle and "what you should know". It also contains a series of unique animations to explain what happens to the heart during heart failure.
Heart UK
Offers information advice and support for people with coronary heart disease and especially those who are at risk of developing inherited high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease.
National Heart Forum
An alliance of 65 national organisations working to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and related conditions. Click here to find out more about avoidable coronary heart disease and related conditions in the UK.
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)
Provides national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill-health. Click here to view or download guidelines for chronic heart failure.
NHS Choices
NHS Choices: healthy hearts
NHS Choices: health and fitness
NHS Choices: beginners' guides to walking, swimming, cycling and running