Effective treatments of congestive heart failure (CHF) must not only reduce mortality, but should also reduce the severity of the signs and symptoms of the syndrome, as these can have a major impact on quality of life. Early intervention can help to make everyday activities easier for patients with CHF and may slow disease progression. This review provides an overview of the efficacies of various therapies in improving the signs and symptoms of CHF, with particular reference to recent data from randomised, double-blind studies of patients receiving the AT(1)-receptor blocker, candesartan cilexetil.