From symptoms to self-care: a nurse-led interventions for patients with heart failure

Abstract Introduction Heart failure represents a significant public health challenge due to its high prevalence, negative impact on quality of life, and frequent hospital readmissions. Despite advances in pharmacological treatment, inadequate symptom control and limited self-care capabilities continue to be key contributors to clinical deterioration. In this context, nursing staff play a fundamental role in promoting self-care, informed decision-making, and early recognition of warning signs, all of which are essential for improving health outcomes in people with heart failure. Objective To evaluate the effect of a nurse-led intervention focused on symptom control and strengthening self-care in patients with heart failure. Methods A quasi-experimental pre-post intervention study was conducted in adult patients diagnosed with heart failure who attended a specialized care service. The nurse-led intervention included individualized educational sessions, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and support for decision-making related to symptom management, treatment adherence, and self-care behaviors. An ad hoc sociodemographic questionnaire was developed to gather basic and contextual information about the participants, allowing for adequate characterization of the sample. The Specific Compliance Scale for Medical Adherence was used to assess adherence to preventive behaviors, symptom control, and self-care levels. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed to compare the results before and after the intervention. Results Participants demonstrated significant improvements (p .001) in the recognition and management of key symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue, and edema. Furthermore, self-care behaviors related to symptom monitoring, timely decision-making, and adherence to treatment recommendations increased after the intervention. Patients perceived the intervention as helpful and applicable, highlighting the supportive role of nursing as a key facilitator of behavior change. Conclusions The nurse-led intervention proved to be an effective strategy for improving self-care and symptom management in patients with heart failure. These findings underscore the value of nursing as a central component of person-centered care models focused on self-management of disease, with the potential to reduce clinical decompensation and improve quality of life.