Transcript ACC / AHA Guidelines for the Management of Patients
Education for patients, families and caregivers
What is Heart Failure?
Weakness of the heart muscle Sometimes also called: Congestive heart failure Pulmonary edema Fluid on lungs Retention of fluid
Common Symptoms of Heart Failure
1.
Hard time breathing 2.
Swollen ankles, legs, or abdomen (edema) 3.
Feeling weak and tired
Heart Failure Can Be Treated
Medications Procedures Surgery
Heart Failure is Chronic
It requires lifelong treatment.
Heart Failure is Common
More than 5 million Americans have Heart Failure.
1
American Heart Association.
2008 Heart and Stroke Statistical Update.
Dallas, TX: American Heart Association; 2008.
6 Tips to Stay Healthy
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Take Medications as Ordered by Your Doctor Go to Doctor Appointments Monitor (watch) Your Symptoms and Weight Adapt Diet (eating) and Fluids (drinking) Get Exercise as Directed 6.
Limit Alcohol, Caffeine and Tobacco
What You Need to Know Take Medications as Ordered
Medications for heart failure are necessary even when you are feeling well.
How to Keep Healthy Take Medications as Ordered
Go over your list of medications with your doctor or nurse Make sure you understand how and when to take them Ask about side effects (reactions) or possible problems with taking medications with other medications and/or vitamins
How to Keep Healthy Take Medications as Ordered
Know how to refill your prescriptions Call your doctor’s office a few days before you run out of your pills Make sure you have a way to get your medications How will you get to the pharmacy?
How to Keep Healthy Take Medications as Ordered
Bring your medications or a list of your medications to all of your doctor appointments Tell your doctor about any side effects or reactions
What You Need to Know Take Medications as Ordered
Patients who take their medicines live longer, feel better, and spend less
time in the hospital.
What You Need to Know Doctor Appointments
Heart failure is not simple The doctor needs to see you often to keep you well
How to Keep Healthy Doctor Appointments
Set up an appointment with your doctor before you leave the hospital or other facility Set it up on the best day and time for you Make sure you have a ride to your appointments
How to Keep Healthy Doctor Appointments
Bring a friend or family member Bring all medications or a medication list to all appointments Ask questions!
What You Need to Know Doctor Appointments
Patients who go to doctor appointments live longer, feel better, and spend less
time in the hospital.
Monitor Symptoms
Common heart failure symptoms: 1.
Hard time breathing 2.
Swollen ankles, legs, or abdomen (edema) 3.
Feeling weak and tired
Monitor Weight
When your body holds extra fluid (water), your weight goes up Weight gain from fluid can start up to two weeks BEFORE symptoms By weighing yourself every day, you can avoid getting sick
How to Keep Healthy Watch Your Symptoms and Weight
Get a scale if you don’t have one Make sure you can read the numbers Write your weight down every day Bring the weight chart to your doctor appointments
How to Keep Healthy Watch Your Symptoms and Weight
Weigh yourself every morning at about the same time: After urinating Before having anything to drink In the same amount of clothing Use the same scale
How to Keep Healthy Watch Your Symptoms and Weight
Tell your doctor if you gain: 3 pounds in one day 5 pounds in one week
What You Need to Know Watch Your Symptoms and Weight
By monitoring for symptoms and weight gain, patients with heart failure can live longer, feel better, and spend
less time in the hospital
Salt and Water
Salt = Sodium High salt intake will make the body hold extra fluid (water) Extra fluid leads to swelling and heart failure symptoms Eating a low salt diet helps patients stay well
How to Keep Healthy Eating and Drinking
Try to eat less than 2000 mg of sodium a day One teaspoon of salt = 2300 mg of sodium Do not add salt to any meals If you don’t buy and cook your own food, speak to the person who does
Reading a Label
Check to see how many servings are listed on the label Eating more than one serving size increases salt intake more than what is listed on the label
Common Food Salt Sources
Canned foods Frozen dinners Deli meats Hot dogs
Other Food Salt Sources
Sea salt Adobo seasoning Salad dressings Cheeses Soy sauce Jar tomato/pasta sauce Pickles Sausages and Kielbasa Ham and Bacon French fries
How to Keep Healthy Eating and Drinking
If you do eat salt, tell your doctor Medications may need to be adjusted More doctor visits may be needed You may need to talk with a diet specialist
How to Keep Healthy Eating and Drinking
Eating out: choose heart healthy foods Baked or broiled foods Salad dressing, sauce or gravy on the side Safe dishes: baked chicken or fish, steamed vegetables
What You Need to Know Eating and Drinking
By avoiding salt in your diet, you can live longer, feel better, and spend less
time in the hospital
Fluid Restriction
Sometimes doctors will limit the amount of liquids patients can have every day Foods that count as liquids are: yogurt, pudding, ice cream, and gelatin Some fruits have liquid: 1 orange or ½ Grapefruit = 4 ounces of fluid
Fluid Restriction
Space your liquids out over the day Save liquids to take your medicines Some patients can take their medicine with applesauce instead of a drink
Tips to Battle Thirst
Use ice chips or freeze juice in an ice cube tray Rinse the mouth Use a lemon wedge, gum, frozen grapes, strawberries or hard candy
Exercise and Activity
Always check with your doctor. Your doctor can tell you what is good for you: Exercise: Most of the time is safe and good for you Sex and driving: Most of the time is safe for you
Alcohol and Caffeine
You should check with your doctor about alcohol and caffeine use Alcohol is usually okay in moderation Less than 2 drinks per day for men Less than 1 drink per day for women Caffeine is usually okay in moderation Less than 1 or 2 cups per day
Tobacco
If you smoke, please STOP!
Bad for anyone, but especially for those with heart failure Makes the heart work harder Can lead to heart attacks Ask your doctor or nurse about help to quit smoking
6 Tips to Stay Healthy
1.
2.
3.
Take Medications as Ordered by Your Doctor Go to Doctor Appointments Monitor (watch) Your Symptoms and Weight 4.
5.
Adapt Diet (eating) and Fluids (drinking) Get Exercise as Directed 6.
Limit Alcohol, Caffeine and Tobacco
Credits
The Hospital of Central Connecticut Shelley Dietz RN, MBA Qualidigm Anne Elwell, RN, MPH Michelle Pandolfi, MSW, LNHA University of Connecticut Heath Center Wendy Martinson RN, BSN Jason Ryan, MD, MPH
Special Thanks to:
David Lazauski for sharing his experience as a patient living with heart failure University of Connecticut Health Center Dr. Jason Ryan for his dedication to teaching us all how to live well with heart failure