Are heart failure patients being taken off life-saving medications too soon?

In this episode of Beatwise: The Podcast, I sit down with expert clinical pharmacist Rhys Williams to tackle a critical yet often overlooked issue in heart failure management— - hyperkalemia. 

Many patients are taken off life-saving RAS inhibitors due to high potassium levels, but is there a better way? 

Rhys and I dive into the underutilisation of potassium binders, which can help manage hyperkalemia without sacrificing essential heart failure medications.

We break down the risks of discontinuing RAS inhibitors, the importance of the 'four pillars' of heart failure therapy, and how both patients and clinicians can work together to optimize treatment. From bridging the gap between research and real-world practice to empowering patients to advocate for their own care, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] The hidden threat to heart failure patients

[01:03] Introduction to Beatwise: The Podcast

[01:37] Meet Rhys Williams: Heart failure specialist and clinical pharmacist

[02:11] Understanding the 'four pillars' of heart failure therapy

[04:21] Barriers to optimal heart failure treatment—why are patients missing out?

[06:48] Hyperkalemia explained: What every patient and clinician should know

[08:02] Strategies for managing high potassium levels without stopping RAS inhibitors

[11:43] How to empower patients and clinicians to make informed treatment decisions

[13:59] The role of potassium binders in heart failure care

[17:42] The importance of monitoring, compliance, and ongoing support

[28:14] Transforming heart failure management through better implementation of research

[32:05] Final thoughts and key takeaways

Links & Resources: 

To read more about the research paper we discussed during this episode, click here

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