Diastolic Heart Failure in Women: Expanding Knowledge About Self-Care Practices

Heart disease is the leading killer of U.S. women, and one type of heart disease that affects a large majority of women is diastolic heart failure (DHF), a chronic, progressive condition that contributes to morbidity and mortality and affects women's quality of life as they age. Women's health nurses are at the forefront of assessment, detection, treatment, education and advocacy for women with DHF. This column takes a second look at two studies in which researchers evaluated the effects of exercise on total sleep time, depression and quality of life of women with DHF, as well as the gender and multicultural differences of individuals diagnosed with heart failure.