The diagnosis itself was seen as a gradual process allowing the information and guidance around diagnosis to be passed on to patients in a manageable way. The evidence suggested that the term heart failure was regarded by healthcare professionals as anxiety- invoking, with many health care providers making use of euphemisms or even more complex terminology instead. These alternative explanations Chronic Heart Failure Domiciliary oxygen therapy in people with advanced heart failure NICE 2018. All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights. ISBN: 978-1-4731-3093-7 often led to a poorer understanding, confusion for people with heart failure and a lack of interest in their diagnosis as a consequence. Understanding heart failure: it was found that although there is variability in patients understanding of their diagnosis; it is generally poor and often misunderstood by people. Many did not connect symptoms they had to their heart failure; and showed poor knowledge of treatments, their importance, side effects and limitations. The lack of understanding was often compounded by confusion and short-term memory loss that is associated with heart failure. Patients desire for more knowledge about their condition and its management is highly individual. Some patients did not want to know more about their diagnosis as it would cause them to worry. Yet, others described that having received too little or conflicting information about their diagnosis caused them anxiety. Some people were proactive in seeking information themselves and knew how to manage their condition. Discussion of prognosis: staff reported difficulties in discussing prognosis and future care options due to the unpredictable disease trajectory, uncertainty about whether patients wanted to know their prognosis, and the challenge of handling the emotional response of patients and their families. 