Patient/caregiver was educated upon findings to watch for and report in individuals with history of congestive heart failure as follows:
- Hypotension: Reduced output of blood from the heart due to heart failure can result in low blood pressure and hypotensive symptoms of dizziness and lightheadedness. Observe compliance with log maintenance of everyday blood pressure readings. Report to your physician regarding any consistent systolic readings below 90 and above 160. Report consistent diastolic readings below 60 and above 90. Report any consistent heart rate readings below 55 and above 100.
- Acute weight gain: Observe compliance with log maintenance of everyday weight recording. Fluid back-up can result in acute weight gain. Any acute increase of weight, more than 2 pounds in 2 consecutive days or more than 5 pounds in one-week duration, indicates significant fluid retention and deteriorating cardiac function, and must be reported to the physician.
- Pedal edema: Persistent back-up of fluid in the heart chambers can lead to progressive deterioration of heart function, enlargement of the heart, weakening of heart muscle, and worsening of heart failure. Individuals can present with swelling of the lower legs, with pitting upon applying slight pressure. The severity of pitting increases with severity of heart failure. Keep a close watch on the severity of pitting and report to your physician regarding any progressively increasing severity of pedal edema.
