Heart Function Clinics

Our heart function clinics provide services to people living with heart failure in our health region.

Why would I need a heart function clinic?

Fraser Health's five heart failure clinics offer heart failure education and care to people in our communities living with heart failure.

Anyone with a diagnosis of heart failure from their physician can attend the clinic closest to their home to learn how to live with heart failure. Some people may also receive treatment, medication reviews and monitoring from clinic staff, if they are referred by their doctor for follow up at a heart function clinic.

What can I expect during a visit to a heart function clinic?

Our team includes registered nurses and doctors who have advanced education in caring for people with heart failure. Your care team might also include nurse practitioners, dietitians, social workers, mental health therapists, and/or physiotherapists. During a visit to one of our clinics, you can expect us to:

Monitor your heart and general health
Arrange for various heart tests
Review your medications and treatments, adjusting them if needed
Teach you how to manage your heart failure and keep you as healthy as possible
Support you and your family in making changes in your life to improve your health such as increasing activity and exercise, and changing eating habits
Regularly update your family doctor on your condition

Between clinic visits, we might:

Ask you to go for extra blood tests
Phone you to see how you are managing at home
Suggest you to see a registered dietitian or attend an exercise program

How often you come to us depends on your health and what help you need. Our goals are to help you slow the progress of your heart failure, manage your heart failure symptoms, stay out of the hospital, improve your quality of life and help you live longer. Once we feel you no longer need our support, your family doctor or cardiologist takes over looking after your heart failure.

What will I learn in heart failure education sessions?

During our education sessions, which are offered one-on-one or in a group, we teach you about:

Heart medications you are taking
Healthy eating and activity habits
Lifestyle changes supporting heart health
What to watch for when your heart is not working as well as it should
When to get help and who to call

How do I make an appointment at a heart function clinic?

If your doctor, nurse practitioner, or another health professional has asked us to see you for education and/or care, we call you to arrange your first appointment. We try to see you at the heart function clinic nearest you. If you wish to attend education sessions, you can call the heart function clinic nearest you: