Heart Failure Facts What is it?
Symptoms
Your heart pumps blood to all parts of your body to give each cell the oxygen and nutrients it needs. When the heart is weak, it has a hard time pumping enough blood. This heart weakness is called heart failure, though the name sounds worse than the symptoms feel. Heart failure is different in each person. Most people manage their heart failure with medicines, diet and periods of rest and are able to have a good quality of life.
Treatment overview Your heart failure may be a weak pumping problem, a poor filling problem or some of both. If you have a pumping problem, less blood is pumped out with each heartbeat. If you have a filling problem, your lower heart chambers (ventricles) do not relax enough to allow them to fill with blood from the upper chambers (atria) before a heartbeat. Your doctor will tailor your treatment plan to what’s going on in your heart.
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Call your doctor within 8-12 hours if you have these signs of increased heart failure:
• a 3-4 pound weight gain within 1-2 days (or 2 pounds overnight)
• i ncreased shortness of breath
• waking up with a cough or a constant cough
• increased weakness or fatigue
• s welling of your lower limbs or hands
• stomach bloating or pain
Call your doctor right away if any of these occur:
• chest pain or pressure
• a fast heartbeat
• dizziness or fainting
• unusual bleeding or bruising
Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. Bringing Patients & Health Together ®
Atlanta, GA
800-241-4925
Product # 286
Controlling Heart Failure Medicines
Name
How much (dosage)
How often
• Make a schedule and take your medicine exactly as instructed. • D on’t take any medicines (including over-the-counter) unless your doctor tells you to. Some may interfere with your heart medicine.
Self-care tips • W hat you eat and drink is very important in managing heart failure. Follow these guidelines:
—limit salt and fluid intake as your doctor advises
— ask if you may drink alcohol
—lower high cholesterol
• W eigh yourself at the same time each day wearing the same clothing. If you gain 3-4 pounds in 1-2 days (or 2 pounds overnight), call your doctor. This usually means your body is holding fluid. • Find the right balance in exercise and rest for you. • Avoid heavy demands on your heart: —no smoking —lose weight —reduce stress —avoid very hot and very cold temperatures —control your blood pressure and blood sugar (if you are diabetic)
Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. Bringing Patients & Health Together ®
Atlanta, GA
800-241-4925
Copyright © 1999-2015 Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. DO NOT DUPLICATE.