Heart Failure

1. Heart Failure K∙I∙T Knowledge ∙ Inspiration∙ Teamwork

2. What is it? • Heart Failure (HF) does not mean that the heart has stopped or is about to stop. • Heart Failure is a condition in which the heart does not pump blood through the body as well as it should. • This causes a person to feel tired & weak due to less nutrient & oxygen rich blood reaching the body’s cells.

3. How common is this? • Heart Failure is very common. • Heart Failure affects nearly 5 million Americans. • An estimated 400,000 to 700,000 cases are diagnosed each year.

4. What causes Heart Failure? • Coronary artery disease • Previous heart attack • High blood pressure • Heart valve disease • Heart muscle disease • Abnormal heart rhythms, anemia, congenital heart disease

5. What happens in heart failure? • Not enough blood circulates. • Blood backs up in veins. • Fluid builds up causing congestion. • The body holds too much fluid. • Fluid builds up in lungs, legs, abdomen. • HF is chronic & progressive, but people can lead normal & active lives by taking good care of themselves & monitoring their health.

6. Symptoms of Heart Failure • Shortness of breath • Problems breathing when lying down • Waking at night with coughing or shortness of breath • Edema or swelling to feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen • Weakness or tiredness • Weight gain • Loss of appetite • Increased heart rate or palpitations • Confusion or inability to think clearly

7. Heart Failure Ways to manage the disease

8. Management of the disease • Weighing daily is very important. • Take medications as directed. • Follow a low sodium diet. • Get regular exercise. • Stop smoking. • Avoid excess fluid consumption, alcohol. • Know the warning signs of heart failure & when to call the doctor. • Keep follow up appointments.

10. The goal is to monitor for symptoms everydaya stable CHF patient should have: • No shortness of breath • No weight gain of more than 2 pounds in a day • No swelling of feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen • No chest pain

11. Call the doctor for any of these warning signs: • 2 lb weight gain in 1 day • More than 5 lb weight gain in a week • Shortness of breath • Edema/swelling to feet, ankles, legs, stomach • Lack of energy or feeling more tired • Dry hacking cough • Dizziness • Uneasy feeling – something is not right • Harder to breath when lying flat

12. Call 911 or go to ER when: • Struggling to breathe • Unrelieved shortness of breath • Chest pain • Confusion • Inability to think clearly

13. Daily Weights • Weigh daily and keep a record. • Same time each day, with the same amount of clothing. • Usually done first thing in the morning after going to the bathroom. • Before breakfast. • Concerned family or friends can encouage each day or ask “How was your weight today?”or “Have you noticed any changes in your weight?” • Bring the weight record to all physician appoinments

14. Medications • Take medications exactly as prescribed & have an updated & accurate list. • Common HF medications: • Diuretics (water pills) – Lasix/furosemide, Zaroxolyn/metolazone, Bumex/bumetanide, Aldactone/spironolactone • ACE inhibitors – Zestril/lisinopril, Capoten/captopril, Vasotec/enalapril, Altace/ramipril • ARB (used instead of ACE) – Cozaar/losartan, Diovan/valsartan, Atacand/candesartan • Beta blockers – Lopressor or Toprol/metoprolol, Coreg/carvedilol,

15. Physical Activity • Incorporate exercise in your activities • Form an exercise group to help with motivation • Types of physical activity • Walking • Gardening • Biking • Wii • Cardiac rehab • Be sure though that you are balancing rest & exercise

16. Diet • Diet is very important in the management of HF • Limit sodium intake • Use fresh instead of canned • Avoid processed foods • Limit fluid intake • Try to bake, broil, steam, roast, poach, boil foods without salt • Help or encourage residents to make the right choices & serving sizes

17. Sodium • Less than 2000mg/day is the goal • Don’t add salt when cooking • Season with herbs instead • Try to used fresh or frozen vegetables instead of canned, but if you must use canned, rinse the vegetables off before using • Avoid processed foods like hot dogs, lunch meats, bacon, etc. • Be aware of sodium content in sauces, dressings, & spreads

18. Fresh instead of Canned • 1 cup of fresh cooked peas: 2mg of sodium • 1 cup of regular canned peas: 400mg of sodium

19. Salt One level teaspoon of salt has about 2300 mg of sodium

20. LOW sodium foods HIGH sodium foods Sodium • Breads (yeast breads have less sodium than those made with baking soda) • Many cold cereals like shredded wheat, bran flakes, puffed rice/wheat • Cooked cereals, pastas, rice & other starches made without salt • Low fat or reduced sodium cheese in small amounts • Tuna packed in water • Fresh meats & fish • Eggs • Any fresh or frozen fruit or vegetables • Breads or crackers topped with salt • Biscuits, cornbread, & other quick breads made with baking soda • Canned or pickled vegetables like sauerkraut • French fries & onion rings • Buttermilk & processed cheeses • Cured, smoked or canned meats • Salted butter/margarine, ketchup, BBQ sauce, salsa, pickles, soy sauce

21. Fluids • As a general rule people with heart failure should avoid excess fluids. • Some people may also be instructed to restrict their fluids. • This just isn’t beverages but also soups, jellos, ice creams, etc. • Alcohol should be avoided.

22. Summary • Heart Failure is a chronic condition in which the heart can not pump blood through the body as well as it should. • This causes blood to back up & fluid to build setting off symptoms of shortness of breath, swelling, fatigue, cough, dizziness, & weight gain. • Heart Failure can be managed by monitoring for symptoms daily, a low sodium diet, limiting fluids, & exercise. • Websites: • www.abouthf.org • www.heart.org • www.heartfailure.org