Aims: To investigate mortality, re-admission, hospital days, and number of primary health care contacts of patients with congestive heart failure in relation to level of care. Methods: The records of 175 patients were reviewed and divided into groups depending on who was responsible for the follow up: a cardiologist, a general practitioner or a nurse-led heart failure clinic. Results: The mortality rate was substantial, 22% during 12 months, and in 13.7% of the cases due to a cardiovascular diagnosis. Mortality was 3.6 % in the nurse-led group, 20% in the cardiologist group, and 27% in the general practitioner group. The mean age of patients was higher in the general practitioner group compared with the other groups. Statistical significant differences between the cardiologists and the other groups occurred concerning the combination of ACE-inhibitors/beta-blockers and diagnosis with echocardiography. Nurses had significantly fewer patients that were treated with diuretics. Patients followed up by the nurse had fewer re-admissions and fewer hospital days than did patients in the other groups. Conclusions: The study indicates that a follow up by a nurse is of substantial value for patients with congestive heart failure. Keywords: Congestive heart failure, heart failure clinics, nursing intervention, primary health care