Is Symptom Burden Associated with Advanced Care Planning in Individuals Who Die of Cardiovascular Disease? (FR440A)

The unpredictable disease trajectory for persons dying from cardiovascular disease (CVD) may make planning for future care challenging. In addition, research suggests these individuals may suffer with significant symptomatology in late life. This study describes symptom burden and advance care planning (ACP) in individuals dying of CVD, and examine the association between symptom burden and ACP in this population. A cross-sectional design using Health Retirement Survey 2002-2012 data addressed the research Objectives. Proxies were asked about decedent's symptom burden, and ACP activities. Clinical and demographic information was obtained. In this sample, CVD decedents with higher symptom burden were more likely to engage in ACP.