[Non-medical and non-instrumental therapy in heart failure]

Chronic heart failure is a disease justifying the initiation of a medical treatment, of which the well-established modalities require cooperation between the general practitioner and the cardiologist. However, this chronic disease also requires patient's active participation in their own treatment, especially through the adoption of new health behaviors: self-monitoring of progression signs, following nutritional recommendations, maintaining adequate physical activity and taking a medical treatment, which may be associated with side effects. Therapeutic education programs or cardiac rehabilitation can help patients to develop these new skills. The management of patients with chronic heart failure involves as well a specific care organization, and in certain cases, a collaboration with specialized multidisciplinary teams providing education, care coordination and long-term supportive care. The social and psychological management of these patients also contributes to the improvement of their quality of life.