Study: Heart failure like cancer for patients

According to a new study, people who suffer heart failure are dealt a crushing psychological blow that's similar to the one experienced by people with advanced cancer. Heart failure causes the body to be unable to supply the body with oxygen-carrying blood. In a study at the University of Colorado, researchers found that heart failure patients with the most severe degrees of the condition had severity of symptoms, depression, and loss of spiritual well-being that are seen in people with advanced cancer. Investigators say these findings suggest that doctors should consider offering palliative care, which is aimed at improving quality of life as the end of a life approaches, to people with heart failure.  Read full story >