NICE has updated its guideline on the management of chronic heart failure. The principal changes from the 2003 guideline include more directive advice on how to improve the quality and timeliness of diagnosis. There is greater encouragement to use beta-blockers, more emphasis on rehabilitation and better access to specialist advice - particularly at the time of diagnosis, admission to hospital, and where symptoms do not respond to first-line therapy with diuretics, ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers. 'A new recommendation is that patients with stable heart failure should be offered a supervised group exercise-based rehabilitation programme designed for such patients.