| HEART FAILURE ZONES | WHAT IS HEART FAILURE? SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, CAUSES. | COMMON MEDICATIONS | DIET | EXERCISE & MENTAL HEALTH |
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What are the three heart failure zones?
‘safe zone/green zone’ ; caution zone/yellow zone’ ; danger zone/red zone
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What is heart failure?
when your heart is not pumping as strongly as it should, your body does not get the right amount of blood, oxygen, and nutrients it needs to work properly.
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Give an example of an ACE Inhibitor.
Ramipril, Perindopril, Trandlapril, Enalapril, Lisinopril, Quinapril
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What are two electrolytes that HF patients need to monitor?
Sodium and potassium. This two affects the medications that they will be taking.
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What kind of exercises are HF allowed to do?
HF patients are encouraged to be active (aerobic exercise) but not strenuous activity as this can increase the workload of the heart.
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what are three daily self-assessments individuals should do while living with heart failure.
any three of the following: Weights, fluid restrict (6-8 glasses per day), medication adherence, check for swelling in legs, feet, ankles and stomach, eat foods low in Na or Na free, balance activity and rest periods.
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What are 3 causes of heart failure?
Any of the following:
He art attack/MI High BP Heart valve problems Heart defects at birth Lung conditions Excessive use of alcohol or drugs |
How do Diuretics help with HF?
MoA: Inhibits the reabsorption of Na and Cl in the kidneys, resulting in an increased excretion of water along with Na, Cl, Mg, Ca, H and K.
Lowers BP so heart doesn’t have to work as hard Prevents or reduces SOB, swelling and bloating Excretes urine and fluids so that the workload of the heart is lessened. |
How much sodium intake can patients have each day?
Less than 2,000 mg from all sources.
Ex: 1 cup of tomato soup = 960 mg 3 oz of Ham = 1,096 mg 1 tsp of table salt = 2,300 mg of sodium |
What are some activities most people with HF can do?
Walking
Light housework Gardening Light vacuuming Stretching Laundry Grocery shopping |
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If a patient is in the yellow zone and is experiencing increasing shortness of breath, vomiting/diarrhea lasting more than two days and has a dry hacky cough - what should they do?
call their health care provider.
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What are some risk factors for heart failure?
Obesity, sleep apnea, infections affecting the heart muscle, abnormal heart rhythm, severe anemia, severe kidney disease, overactive thyroid gland, exposure to chemo/radiation
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What are Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist (MRA) and how does it help with HF?
Medications that blocks aldosterone (steroid that helps control the amount of sodium, potassium and water in the body).
It helps the body retain less water to lower BP. Helps decrease SOB and swelling in the legs and bloating in the stomach. |
How does Vitamin K affect Warfarin?
Vitamin K helps blood clot. If the patient is taking warfarin, teach pt that Vitamin K can affect their INR levels and to eat around the same amount each day.
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How can stress affect patients with HF and their body?
It increases BP, cholesterol and increase the chances of a having a heart attack and stroke.
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Which symptoms suggest a person with heart failure should call 911?
Any of the following:
Struggling to breathe, shortness of breath does not go away while sitting still, you have a fast heartbeat that does not slow when you rest, you have chest pain that does not go away with rest or medicine, you are having trouble thinking clearly or feeling confused, you have fainted. |
What are the two main types of heart failure?
Weak pump: when the heart muscle is weak, it gets larger and floppy
Stiff pump: when the heart muscle cannot relax between beats because the muscle has become stiff. The heart cannot properly fill with blood between beats. |
What is a symptom that Betablockers mask or hide?
Betablockers blocks or masks signs of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) for diabetic patients. However, patients can still feel hunger and sweating.
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How can sodium affect HF?
When sodium builds up in the body, it causes fluids to retain in the body, building it up. This causes the heart to work harder (which we don’t want the heart to do). This fluid buildup can also cause swelling in the feet, legs or the belly. Fluid buildup in the lungs also makes it harder for the patient to breathe.
Activity! Ask everyone what their favourite food is and then let them search up how much sodium is in it. |
How can depression affect HF?
It can worsen HF by affecting how patients manage their HF symptoms.
Ex: harder to take meds as directed, Harder to exercise, |
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If a patient is experiencing signs of pulmonary edema (lung crackles, dyspnea, feeling fluid in their lungs) but NO peripheral edema; which side of their heart is likely failing?
Left sided heart failure
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What are 7 signs of heart failure?
Any seven of the following:
Short of breath during daily activities Harder to breathe when resting/lying down (orthopnea), wake at night feeling SOB, easier to sleep by adding pillows or sitting in a chair, cough often, fast heart beat, you cannot walk as far as you normally can, lethargic, lightheaded/dizzy, lower appetite, bloated, swelling in legs, feet, ankles, abdomen, sudden increase in body weight, feel uneasy, confusion. |
How does digoxin help with HF?
Digoxin is used in HF to strengthen the heart beat and to help the heart pump better by slowing the heart beats to attain better rhythm. This allows the patient to feel less tired, stronger, less SOB and have less swelling of the feet and ankles. Prevents HF symptoms from getting worse.
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How much fluid can HF patients have in a day? Why do HF patients need to limit their fluids?
No more than 1.5 - 2 L. Fluid can build up and cause swelling in legs, feet or belly making the heart work harder. It can also build up in the lungs (congestion).
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How can aerobic exercises improve HF?
Aerobic exercises can improve the body’s ability to use O2. Less SOB, BP which can strengthen the heart.
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