Heart Failure Rehabilitation Impacts Quality of Life and Readmissions: Breathlessness Rehabilitation Classes Integrating Heart Failure and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Made Positive Impact on Quality of Life, Health Literacy, and Readmissions

Heart Failure (HF) patients often have limited exercise capacity due to dyspnoea and fatigue. Despite the availability of effective treatment, HF is associated with poor quality life (QOL), high morbidity mortality. Māori are twice as likely die four times be hospitalised for HF. failure hospitalisations cost an estimated 2% New Zealand health system. Until late 1980s, was considered unsafe HF; since then, considerable research evidence has suggested that safe provides substantial physiological psychological benefits. Whilst potential benefits clear, there were no guidelines or resources available in Hawkes Bay. With aim improving functional QOL reduce readmissions, rehabilitation space explored. Fiscal budgets need a multidisciplinary team barriers idealistic rehabilitation. The integrated into pulmonary rehabilitation, modification per on exercise, content, training all staff regarding cardiology. classes commenced rural urban regions (four total). Patients selected referral criteria first assessment completed by cardiologist/nurse practitioner/clinical nurse specialist referred 8-week program. tools used measure before after outcomes. More than 200 evaluated results. Twenty-five interviewed understand enablers who attended program almost 50% less readmitted, had reduced breathlessness, improved fitness. Self-management skills literacy also improved. proven low-cost, high-value intervention, but generally underused.