Lay summary
Heart failure continues to be a major health problem for people in New Zealand, affecting approximately 2% of the population, with Māori being disproportionately impacted by this malignant disease. Drug therapies have advanced over 40+ years, and now includes five classes of medications, which when combined now provide substantial improvements in quality of life, reduce hospitalisations and mortality. Similar to cancer treatment, there is now a recognised urgency to start these medications early and to titrate to optimal dosages as quickly as possible. A clinical pathway has been developed and piloted at Te Toka Tumai Auckland demonstrating that this can be achieved safely in clinical practice. This approach has been identified by the National Cardiac Network as an important clinical pathway for Aotearoa. This health delivery research will support established multi-disciplinary health care teams to implement this pathway across the country.