Heart Failure

Summary

Part of the Living With Heart Failure Series.

This positive video informs patients that they must take an active role in managing their heart failure in order to control symptoms. It encourages patients to meet with the healthcare team regularly, consistently take medications, make positive lifestyle changes and monitor their symptoms daily. The video uses simple animation to explain heart failure in a way that will be understandable to most patients. It reviews tests that may be given at check-ups, such as chest X-rays, electrocardiograms, or echocardiograms. It also mentions the Biventricular Pacemaker and the Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator as possible treatment options.

Details

1. Introduction: It is going to take work on your part, but you can feel better and continue to enjoy life with heart failure.
2. Understanding Heart Failure:
   1. The heart pumps blood containing oxygen and nutrients our bodies need to function.
   2. When you have heart failure, your heart is weakened, and pumps less blood.
   3. To help the heart pump more blood, chemicals called hormones are released that make the heart bigger. But this actually weakens it more.
   4. Heart Failure symptoms occur when the body does not get enough blood.
      1. Fluid begins building up in the body. This is called edema and causes many symptoms.
         1. Shortness of breath is caused by fluid buildup in the lungs.
         2. Swelling and loss of appetite are caused by fluid buildup in the feet, legs, hands, face and abdomen.
      2. Heart Failure can make you very tired because the parts of your body are not getting the blood they need to work properly.
      3. The weaker your heart gets, the worse symptoms become.
3. Managing Heart Failure:
   1. The goals of managing heart failure:
      1. Control symptoms.
      2. Feel better.
   2. Heart Failure Treatment Plan
      1. The parts:
         1. Meet with your healthcare team often.
         2. Take your medications.
         3. Make lifestyle changes.
         4. Check for symptoms daily.
         5. Relieve stress.
         6. Other possible treatment options.
      2. Get involved. You have a big part to play in how well you feel.
   3. Meet with your healthcare team often.
      1. Your healthcare team includes: your doctor, dietitian, nurse educator, pharmacist, exercise specialist, and a counselor.
      2. They will give you check ups, and make changes to your treatment plan when necessary.
      3. Tests:
         1. Chest x-rays, to examine the size of your heart and look for signs of edema.
         2. An electrocardiogram, to review the electrical activity in the heart.
         3. An echocardiogram, which measures your ejection fraction- the amount of blood pumped.
      4. Ask questions.
      5. Always let your healthcare team know how you are feeling.
   4. Medications
      1. Take your medications as prescribed.
      2. Take them when you feel bad, and even when you feel good.
      3. Finding out how your medications work will help you keep track of them.
      4. Always let your healthcare team know right away if you experience side effects caused by your medications.
   5. Lifestyle adjustments
      1. Food choices
         1. Limit the sodium, or salt in their diet to help reduce symptoms.
         2. You may also need to limit the amount of fluid you drink each day also to reduce symptoms.
         3. A registered dietitian can give you more information on how the foods you eat can affect your heart failure, and show you how to make healthy food choices.
      2. Physical activity
         1. Staying active is actually one of the best ways to reduce your symptoms, and help you get stronger, so you can do even more.
         2. Ask your healthcare team about safe activities that are right for you.
         3. You may also want to consider joining a cardiac rehabilitation program.
      3. Avoid alcohol and tobacco because both can cause more heart damage and make your symptoms worse.
   6. Check everyday for signs and symptoms that your heart failure is getting worse
      1. Weigh yourself everyday.
         1. A sudden weight gain could mean fluids are building up.
         2. If you notice a weight gain, generally 2-4 pounds over 1 to 3 days, notify your healthcare team.
      2. Other symptoms to watch for include:
         1. Increased difficulty breathing
         2. Trouble lying or sleeping flat
         3. Increased swelling in your hands, legs, feet, ankles, or abdomen
         4. A loss of appetite or a full feeling
         5. Extreme tiredness
         6. Nausea
         7. Skin rash
         8. A dry cough
         9. Dizziness
      3. Never be afraid to call your healthcare team.
   7. Relieve stress.
      1. Too much stress can make managing your heart failure harder.
      2. Ask your healthcare team to suggest ways you can cope with stress.
      3. Each day set aside some time to relax, and just try do things you enjoy.
   8. Other Treatment Options
      1. A Biventricular Pacemaker is implanted in the body to help improve the heart's pumping ability.
      2. An Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator is another device that may be recommended.
      3. These devices are not for everyone, only for certain Heart Failure Patients.
   9. Conclusion: Heart Failure does not have to stop you from enjoying life. There is a treatment plan available. Involve yourself in it. That is the best thing you can do to control symptoms and help yourself feel better.