Opinion
Video
The Role of the Primary Care Physician in Heart Failure Management
The role of the primary care physician (PCP) in heart failure management is explored.
This is a video synopsis/summary of a panel discussion involving Robert Groves, MD; Eugene E. Wright Jr, MD; Nancy Albert, PhD, CCNS, CCRN, CHFN, NE-BC, FAHA, FCCM, FHFSA, FAAN; Nihar Desai, MD, MPH; and Kelly Marie Axsom, MD. The panel discusses the respective roles of primary care physicians and specialists in heart failure management. Primary care focuses on prevention through early screening and aggressive treatment to prevent progression. They address risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, and weight. Specialists manage more complex symptomatic patients. However, many primary care doctors are not screening for preclinical stage B heart failure, which can be done with simple blood biomarker tests like BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) or NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide). The goal is detecting dysfunction before symptoms arise to enable earlier intervention. Consensus guidelines aim to improve education on screening and treatment pathways for primary care. Axsom notes NT-proBNP may be preferred as it is more stable and better for monitoring treatment response. Still, implementation in primary care remains challenging. Overall, primary care should focus on prevention and screening while specialists manage more advanced disease, but knowledge gaps on guidelines need addressing.
Video synopsis is AI-generated and reviewed by AJMC editorial staff.
