Heart failure affects 1-2% of the adult population, and over 10% of those over the age of 80. It places a heavy burden on both patients and their families, which often increases in the later stages of the illness, yet there is little research on the advanced stages of disease.

Heart failure means the heart is unable to pump blood around the body well enough, which can lead to symptoms of breathlessness, palpitations, ankle swelling and fatigue. People with advanced heart failure are affected by these symptoms, have to take multiple medications, and may need hospital admissions.

This is why it is important to find out people’s views on what the priorities for research on advanced heart failure should be. This way we can make recommendations to researchers and funders about where to focus their time, resource and effort.

For more information about heart failure, see NHS Choices website.