Navigating the Intersection of Heart Failure and Palliative Care: A Holistic Approach to Improving Quality of Life

Heart failure (HF) is a multifaceted, severe condition linked to significant emotional, physical, and social challenges that have an immense impact on the patient's quality of life. Notwithstanding the advancements in medical treatment, many HF patients experience recurrent hospitalizations, gradual functional decline, and various incapacitating symptoms. The integration of palliative care into the management of HF offers a holistic approach that addresses not only the physical symptoms but also the emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs of patients, their families, and caregivers. The integration of palliative care in HF management addresses the patients' holistic requirements, which enhances the quality-of-life outcomes for the patients through the provision of emotional and psychological support and aiding caregivers in managing the challenges associated with HF. Regardless of the acknowledged advantages of integrating PC into heart failure management, execution has largely remained poor in most healthcare services globally. The objective of this systematic review is to identify how the integration of palliative care into heart failure treatment interventions improves the quality of life for heart failure patients. To attain the set objective, we conducted an extensive search on references drawn from diverse online databases, such as Embase, PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Cross-over design studies randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and prospective cohort studies that focused on palliative care in heart failure patients were selected and subsequently included. From the search, 18 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria and were consequently included following evaluations using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The review disclosed that PC is effective in improving the quality of life (QoL) of heart failure patients.