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Aim: To identify the learning needs of patients with heart failure (HF) in China and to examine the relationships between learning needs and patients' characteristics. Background: Little information on the learning needs of patients with HF in China is known. Besides, it is important to identify the potential characteristics that may influence patients' perceived learning needs. Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted in three university affiliated hospitals in Xi'an, Mainland China. A total of 347 HF patients selected by convenience sampling were investigated using the Chinese version of the HF learning needs inventory. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, Pearson correlation, and one-way analysis of variance were used for data analysis. Results: The mean scores rated by Chinese patients with HF were lower than the corresponding scores rated by patients of Western countries. Information on risk factors, prognosis, general HF information and medications were identified as the most important topics while lifestyle modification and psychological factors were regarded as the least important ones. Age negatively correlated with the learning needs on activity (r = -0.125) and prognosis information (r = -0.141). Educational level was significantly related to the learning needs about risk factors. Conclusion: Patients with HF in China considered most of the topics important for them to learn. Age and educational level were related with the learning needs on only three topics including activity, prognosis information and risk factors. Relevance to clinical practice: The study findings may be used by health professionals to develop tailored educational programme for patients with HF in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]