Heart failure affects millions of Americans and the number of people diagnosed with heart failure is expected to continue rising. In addition to being a leading cause of mortality, heart failure has a significant impact on quality of life. Individuals with heart failure also face a serious economic burden due to hospitalization costs and lost wages. While heart failure prevalence is increasing across all age groups, older adults are at a higher risk. Identifying risks for heart failure is one of the best ways to prevent it. Recognizing and managing symptoms can help reduce complications and slow disease process. This course discusses the risks of heart failure as well as disease specific nursing assessments and interventions.