Congestive Heart Failure Health Promotion and Education for Chronic Illness Management
What is Congestive Heart Failure? Congestive heart failure, or commonly referred to as CHF or heart failure, is the failure of the heart to pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body. It is a syndrome that results from any functional or structural disorder of the heart1. CHF can occur at any age, but it most commonly affects the elderly1. CHF can be the result of any heart condition that reduces the ability of the heart to pump blood effectively1. Heart failure is almost always a long term condition that may affect the right, left, or both sides of the heart2.
Getting To Know Your Goals of Treatment Is As Easy As 1, 2, 3!
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UNDERSTAND NEW MEDICATIONS
REPORTABLE SYMPTOMS AND WHAT TO DO
FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENTS
Know the following:
Watch for increased edema (swelling), shortness of breath, and significant weight gain in a short period of time. Contact your doctor if symptoms persist or worsen. If you have difficulty breathing, seek emergency care.
Name of medication Dosage of medication How often to take the medication What the drug does When to not take the medication
Keep scheduled follow up appointments. Keep a calendar with the date, time, and location of follow-up visits and if you’re unable to make an appointment be sure to reschedule as soon as possible.
REFERENCES 3. American Heart Association. (2015). Why should I limit sodium? Retrieved from http://www.heart.org/idc/ groups/heart-public/@wcm/@hcm/documents/downloadable/ucm_300625.pdf 4. Benbow, D. A. (2009). Heart failure: Educating your patient can help prevent readmission. Nursing Management, 40(9), 5-7. Retrieved from http://www.nursingcenter.com/journalarticle?Article_ID=940643 1.
Porth, C. (2011). Essentials of pathophysiology: Concepts of altered health states (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer/ Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
2. University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center. (n.d.). Heart failure outcomes. Retrieved from http://www.uhhospitals.org/ahuja/about/quality-outcomes/heart-failure-outcomes
Eat a low salt diet. Salt in your body causes water to be retained. Too much salt causes too much water to stay in your system putting extra stress on your heart3. Avoid adding salt to foods, use other herbs and spices to flavor your meals. Try to limit your intake of salty foods such as deli meats, frozen meals, and condiments3.
Get Up and Exercise Start slowly and build up to a minimum of 150 minutes of moderately vigorous activity per week. Start with 30 minutes per day at least 5 times per week. Try walking, swimming, or cycling4.
Watch Your Weight Use the same scale every day at the same time while wearing the same type of clothes. Report a weight gain of 3 or more pounds in one day or 5 or more pounds in one week to your healthcare provider4.