Heart Failure

Summary

This video gives heart failure patients vital information they need to keep them healthier and out of the hospital. It is designed to address the needs of the hospital discharge staff member or other educator who is working with a newly diagnosed patient or patient with poor heart failure management. The video stresses things patients should do right away to begin controlling heart failure. It recommends patients schedule the follow-up appointment, take all medications as prescribed, and avoid salt, tobacco and alcohol. Balancing a safe level of activity with adequate rest is discussed as well as the importance of daily weight checks and watching for worsening symptoms. The video lists specific symptoms that require physician contact or a trip to the emergency room.

Details

1. Introduction: Heart Failure is a serious condition. But there are things you can begin doing to control your symptoms, and help yourself feel better as soon as you leave the hospital.
2. Before leaving the hospital
   1. Someone will meet with you and go over: your medications, the importance of weighing yourself daily, things you should avoid, activity guidelines, and symptoms you should watch for.
   2. You will be given a follow-up appointment and the name and number of the person you should contact if you have questions, and instructions to follow in case of an emergency.
3. Schedule your follow-up appointment before you leave the hospital
   1. Write down its date, time, and location.
   2. At your follow-up visit you will be given a checkup, and receive more information about what you can do to manage your heart failure.
   3. Bring all your medication bottles with you so your healthcare team can review them.
4. Take your medications as prescribed, even if you start to feel better. If you do not, your symptoms will get worse.
5. Weigh yourself everyday.
   1. Rapid weight gain can mean your heart failure is getting worse.
   2. Weigh yourself every morning and write this information down.
   3. Let your healthcare team know immediately If you gain 2-4 pounds over 1 to 3 days.
6. Avoid salt.
   1. Foods you should stay away from include: ham, hot dogs, soups, lunchmeats, and pizza. They are all very high in salt.
   2. Do not add salt to foods while you are cooking, or at the table.
   3. Since most of the foods in restaurants are very high in salt, it is a good idea to eat at home for now.
7. Avoid tobacco and alcohol.
   1. If you smoke, ask your healthcare team about ways you can break the habit because you must stop.
   2. Breathing in second hand smoke is also dangerous. If you spend time with others who smoke, ask them not to do it around you.
8. Stay active.
   1. You will probably feel tired for the first few days. Rest when you have to.
   2. Increase your activity level slowly.
   3. Before leaving the hospital check to see if your doctor wants you to avoid working and driving for several days or weeks.
9. Watch for symptoms worsening.
   1. Symptoms to watch for include:
      • increased swelling in your feet or stomach area
      • a fever over 101 degrees
      • increased shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
      • waking up in the middle of the night short of breath
      • chest pain
      • any of the symptoms that first sent you to the hospital
   2. Some symptoms of heart failure may be unavoidable. However, you should always let your healthcare team know about sudden changes.
   3. If you feel it is an emergency, follow the instructions you have been given.
10. Conclusion: It will take time to learn everything you will need to know to live the rest of your life with heart failure. Following these instructions can help you feel a lot better, and are great first steps towards staying well and out of the hospital.