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Objective: To verify the knowledge of nurses about heart failure in different hospital institutions. Method: Participants included 74 nurses from two public hospitals (a general hospital and a hospital specialized in cardiology) from a capital city in the Brazilian Northeast. The Nurses' Knowledge of Heart Failure Questionnaire (Q-NKHF) was used. Data were analyzed in a descriptive and inferential manner. Results: Satisfactory indices of correct answers (70%) were found for questions related to basic knowledge about heart failure, such as sodium and fluid restriction, changes in lifestyle and sexual activity. There were no significant differences between the professionals of the general hospital and those who specialized in cardiology. Conclusion: The nurses' knowledge about heart failure was satisfactory in the general hospital and unsatisfactory in the specialized service in cardiology. The subjects in need of educational intervention, together with the investigated participants, were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...