Condition-Specific Hospice Care
CHF — Congestive Heart Failure
Expert hospice care focused on comfort, dignity, and quality of life.
Pacific Hospice & Palliative Care provides specialized, comfort-focused care for eligible patients throughout San Antonio and surrounding communities. Our team is available 24/7 to answer questions and help families understand whether hospice may be appropriate.
Signs Families May Notice
Changes Families May Notice With Advanced Heart Failure
These signs do not confirm a hospice diagnosis. A physician evaluation is required to determine eligibility.
Why Pacific Hospice
Our Approach to Heart Failure Care
Heart failure is a chronic, progressive condition where the heart can no longer pump blood effectively. Symptoms often worsen over time and can affect every aspect of daily life. Frequent hospitalizations and declining function are common in the advanced stages.
Our hospice care focuses on comfort, symptom relief, and supporting patients and their loved ones every step of the way — reducing unnecessary hospitalizations and helping patients remain in the comfort of their own home.
Why Hospice?
When Hospice Makes Sense for CHF
When heart failure is no longer responding to treatment or when the focus shifts to comfort, hospice provides expert symptom management, emotional and spiritual support, and compassionate care — helping patients live as fully and comfortably as possible.
6.7 Million
Americans living with heart failure
U.S. adults age 20 and older, based on 2017–2020 NHANES data. (AHA Statistics, 2025)
~800,000
New diagnoses each year
Approximately 800,000 new cases of heart failure are diagnosed annually in the United States. (AHA Statistics, 2025)
Source: Tsao CW, et al. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics — 2025 Update. Circulation. 2025. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001303
Indicators That May Support a Hospice Evaluation
- NYHA Class IV symptoms at rest or with minimal activity (not a standalone eligibility criterion)
- Frequent hospitalizations for heart failure (a clinical pattern, not a standalone eligibility criterion)
- Dyspnea at rest or with minimal activity
- Fatigue, weakness, and decreased activity tolerance
- Edema unresponsive to diuretics
- A severely reduced ejection fraction may support the clinical assessment, but ejection fraction is not required and is not a standalone hospice-eligibility test.
- Need for inotropic support or advanced therapies
These indicators are educational and are not standalone eligibility requirements. Hospice eligibility requires an individualized clinical evaluation and physician certification.
Progression of Heart Failure
- Worsening shortness of breath and fluid retention
- Increasing fatigue and reduced ability to perform daily activities
- More frequent hospitalizations or ER visits
- Decreased ejection fraction and worsening heart function
- Dependence on medications with limited effectiveness
- Advanced heart failure can follow an unpredictable course. Eligibility and prognosis require an individualized physician assessment.
Home Health-to-Hospice Bridge Program
Our Home Health-to-Hospice Bridge Program supports a seamless transition from home health to hospice — honoring your patients' needs and goals every step of the way. We work closely with home health partners to make transitions smooth and stress-free for patients and families.
Comprehensive Hospice Services
Sources
- Tsao CW, et al. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics — 2025 Update. Circulation. 2025. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001303. ahajournals.org
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare Hospice Benefits. medicare.gov/coverage/hospice-care
Statistics are provided for educational purposes. Clinical decisions should always be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare provider.
We're Here to Help
Contact our care team to discuss hospice care for a patient with congestive heart failure.
Confidential & No Obligation
Ask Whether Hospice May Be Appropriate
A confidential conversation can help your family understand the available options.