AIM:To evaluate the prevalence and severity of pain in patients with chronic stable heart failure(HF) in an outpatient clinic setting.METHODS:This is a cross-sectional study evaluating symptoms of generalized or specific pain in patients with chronic stable heart failure.A standardized questionnaire(Edmonton Symptom Assessment System) was administered during a routine outpatient clinic visit.The severity of pain and other symptoms were assessed on a 10 point scale with 10 being the worst and 0 representing no symptoms.RESULTS:Sixty-two patients [age 56 ± 13 years,51 males,11 females,mean ejection fraction(EF) 33% ± 17%] completed the assessment.Thirty-two patients(52%) reported any pain of various character and location such as chest,back,abdomen or the extremities,with a mean pain score of 2.5 ± 3.1.Patients with an EF less than 40%(n = 45,73%) reported higher pain scores than patients with an EF greater than 40%(n = 17,27%),scores were 3.1 ± 3.3 vs 1.2 ± 1.9,P < 0.001.Most frequent symptoms were tiredness(in 75% of patients),decreased wellbeing(84%),shortness of breath(SOB,76%),and drowsiness(70%).The most severe symptom was tiredness with a score of 4.0 ± 2.8,followed by decreased wellbeing(3.7 ± 2.7),SOB(3.6 ± 2.8),and drowsiness(2.8 ± 2.8).CONCLUSION:Pain appears to be prevalent and significantly affects quality of life in HF patients.Adequate pain assessment and management should be an integral part of chronic heart failure management. AIM: To evaluate the prevalence and severity of pain in patients with chronic stable heart failure (HF) in an outpatient clinic setting. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study evaluating assays of generalized or specific pain in patients with chronic stable heart failure. A sequential questionnaire (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System) was administered during a routine outpatient clinic visit. Severity of pain and other symptoms were assessed on a 10 point scale with 10 being the worst and 0 no symptoms .RESULTS: Sixty-two patients [ age 56 ± 13 years, 51 males, 11 females, mean ejection fraction (EF) 33% ± 17%] completed the assessment.Thirty-two patients (52%) reported any pain of various character and location such as chest, back, Abdomen or the extremities, with a mean pain score of 2.5 ± 3.1. Patients with an EF less than 40% (n = 45, 73%) reported higher pain scores than patients with an EF greater than 40% (n = 17,27 %), scores were 3.1 ± 3.3 vs 1.2 ± 1.9, P <0.001.Most frequ ent symptoms were tiredness (in 75% of patients), decreased wellbeing (84%), shortness of breath (SOB, 76%), and drowsiness (70%). The most severe symptom was tiredness with a score of 4.0 ± 2.8, followed by decreased wellbeing (3.7 ± 2.7), SOB (3.6 ± 2.8), and drowsiness (2.8 ± 2.8). CONCLUSION: Pain appears to be prevalent and significantly affects quality of life in HF patients. Adequate pain assessment and management should be an integral part of chronic heart failure management.