WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Congestive heart failure, also called CHF, occurs when
the heart muscle is weak and has trouble pumping blood through
the body. As a result, blood collects in the lungs or other
parts of the body.
Causes
This condition may be the result
of a heart attack, heart disease, high blood pressure, problems
with the heart valves, infections of the heart, or a disease of
the heart muscle. Other causes may include severe
physical or emotional stress, drugs, or lung or thyroid
disease.
Signs/Symptoms
A typical symptom is trouble breathing, especially during
exercise or when lying down. Other signs are swollen legs and
feet, feeling tired or weak, weight gain, and loss of
appetite.
Treatment
May include medicine to get rid
of the extra fluid in your lungs and body, and drugs that help
to make your heartbeat stronger. You may also need oxygen to
help you breathe easier, and have tests to find out why you
have CHF.
Do's/Don'ts
To control your heart failure,
quit smoking, get lots of rest, shorten your work day, avoid
getting upset, don't gain weight, keep out of very hot or cold
temperatures, exercise, and eat a diet low in
salt.
Risks
The disease can be controlled
with medicine, but without care the condition can get worse,
eventually leading to death.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
Always take your medicine as directed by your doctor.
If you feel it is not helping, call your doctor. Do not
quit taking it on your own.
-
If you take aspirin regularly, continue to take it.
Aspirin helps thin the blood so blood clots don't form. Do
not take acetaminophen or ibuprofen
instead.
-
If you have other illnesses like diabetes or high
blood pressure, you need to control them. Take medicines as
directed. Because of these illnesses, you have a higher
chance of getting a heart
attack.
-
Exercise daily. It helps make the heart stronger,
lowers blood pressure, and keeps you healthy. If your
exercise plan seems too hard or too easy, speak with your
doctor.
-
Get at least 7 hours of rest each night. Take a nap
during the day if you are
tired.
-
Since it is hard to avoid stress, learn to control
it. Learn new ways to relax (deep breathing, relaxing
muscles, imagery). Don't hesitate to talk to someone about
things that upset you.
-
Quit smoking. It harms the heart and lungs. If you
are having trouble quitting, ask your doctor for
help.
-
Weigh yourself before breakfast daily. Weight gain
can be a sign of worsening CHF. Call your doctor if you
have gained 2 to 3 pounds in a day. Your doctor also will
ask you to take your blood pressure and pulse
regularly.
-
Weighing too much makes the heart work harder. If you
need to lose weight, talk to your doctor about a plan that
is good for you.
-
A diet low in fat, salt, and cholesterol is very
important. It keeps your heart healthy and strong. Ask your
doctor what you should and should not
eat.
-
It may take time getting used to a new diet. Special
cookbooks may help you and the cook in your family find new
recipes.
-
Avoid really hot or cold temperatures. In hot
weather, do activities during the cool part of the day. In
cold weather, dress warmly in loose fitting clothes. Make
sure to cover your head and mouth for warmth and for easier
breathing.
-
Ask your doctor how often you may have sex and
whether you may drive.
-
Do not lift or push or pull any thing heavy or work
with your arms above shoulder level until your doctor says
you may.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
You are light-headed, dizzy, sweaty, or nauseated
after you take your medicine.
-
You have gained several pounds in 1 or 2
days.
-
Your blood pressure is higher or lower than
usual.
-
Your pulse is faster or slower than
usual.
-
You cough up yellow, green, or pink frothy
sputum.
-
You are wheezing (a high pitched noise when breathing
in or out).
-
You have trouble breathing, swelling in your feet or
ankles, or are more tired than
usual.
-
You have a high temperature, muscle aches, headache,
and dizziness. These are signs of an
infection.
-
You have chest pain during exercise that doesn't go
away with rest.
Seek Care Immediately
If...
-
You have the following signs of worsening heart
failure:
-
You have more trouble breathing than usual, are
weak, cannot sleep or rest because of trouble breathing,
or have a fast or uneven
heartbeat.
-
You have increased swelling in your legs and feet
and torso, and you feel dizzy.
THIS IS AN EMERGENCY. Call for help immediately,
or
call 911 or 0 (operator) to get you to the nearest
medical clinic or hospital.
Do not drive yourself!
IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE
HOSPITAL...
What to Expect While You're
There
You may encounter the following
procedures and equipment during your stay.
-
Taking Vital Signs: These include your temperature,
blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeats), and
respirations (counting your breaths). A stethoscope is used
to listen to your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is
taken by wrapping a cuff around your
arm.
-
Pulse Oximeter: While you are getting oxygen, you
may be hooked up to a pulse oximeter (ok-SIM-uh-ter). It is
placed on your ear, finger, or toe and is connected to a
machine that measures the oxygen in your
blood.
-
ECG: Also called a heart monitor, an
electrocardiograph (e-lec-tro-CAR-dee-o-graf), or EKG.
Patches on your chest are hooked up to a TV-type screen or
a small portable box (telemetry unit). This screen shows a
tracing of each heartbeat. Your heart will be watched for
signs of injury or damage that could be related to your
illness.
-
12 Lead ECG: This test makes tracings from different
parts of your heart. It can help your doctor evaluate the
problem.
-
Oxygen: Your body may need extra oxygen at this
time. It is given either by a mask or nasal prongs. Tell
your doctor if the oxygen is drying out your nose or if the
nasal prongs bother you.
-
IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine
or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to
it.
-
Blood: Usually taken from a vein in your hand or
from the bend in your elbow. Tests will be done on the
blood.
-
Blood Gases: Blood is taken from an artery in your
wrist, elbow, or groin. It is tested for the amount of
oxygen it contains.
-
Chest X-ray: This is a picture of your lungs and
heart. The care givers use it to see how your heart and
lungs are handling the illness.
-
ECHO: Also called an echocardiogram
(e-ko-CAR-dee-o-gram). This uses sound waves to view your
heart while it is beating. It can help care givers decide
what is causing your heart
failure.
-
Other Tests: May be needed to find out what is causing
your chest pain.
-
Stress Test: Used to watch your heart during
exercise.
-
Cardiac Catheterization (cath-uh-ter-i-ZAY-shun):
A test used to study the arteries sending blood to your
heart.
-
Medicine:
-
Diuretics (di-your-ET-ics): Also called ""water
pills''. They should make you pass urine more often and
thus get rid of any extra fluid your body or lungs may
have collected. Diuretics can be given as a pill or in
your IV.
-
Heart Medicine: May be given to make your
heartbeat stronger. You may also need medicine to make
your arteries open up more so blood can flow
easily.
-
Weight: You will be weighed daily. This is one way
to find out how much extra fluid is in your body. If you
gain too much weight, you may need diuretics to get rid of
the extra fluid.
-
Rest: You will need a lot at first. Resting with
your head on 2 or 3 pillows will help you breathe
easier.
-
Exercise: As you feel better, you may slowly start
to exercise. Stop when you feel tired, have trouble
breathing, or have chest pain. Remember, it will take time
to build up your strength.
-
Angioplasty: May be needed to open up a blocked
artery to your heart.
-
Surgery: May be needed if the arteries to your heart
are severely blocked.
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