Abstract
Gastro-intestinal (GI) symptoms in advanced heart failure can cause distress to both the patient and his/her carer. While GI symptoms are common at the end stages of many diseases, management must reflect the specific causes of these symptoms in the heart failure patient. Breathlessness, fatigue, limited mobility and depression—all symptoms associated with advancing heart failure—and the treatment of the heart failure itself can potentiate or exacerbate GI symptoms. Early assessment, recognition of the impact and pro-active management of GI symptoms is recommended. Cachexia is common at the advanced stages of many diseases and is associated with poor outcomes for heart failure patients. The mechanisms and suitable treatments for this remain a case for further investigation.
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