Patient/caregiver was educated upon findings to watch for and report in individuals with history of right-sided heart failure as follows:
- Increasing confusion and dizziness: Reduced blood supply to end organ, brain, can result in increased confusion and frequency of dizzy episodes, thus contributing to falls and accidents. Report to your physician regarding any acute increase in confusion and dizziness, with any occurrence of falls and accidents.
- Compromised renal function: Progressively reduced blood supply to the kidneys in individuals with heart failure can result in deterioration of renal function, diminished urine output, increased fluid and waste retention, and renal failure. Diminished urine output with increased fluid retention can result in acute weight gain and increased load on already failing heart, which can further complicate the outcome. Try peeing into an urinal periodically, for a 24-hour interval. Calculate and keep a record of total volume of urine emptied in a 24-hour interval. Report to your physician regarding any progressively decreasing volume of urine output. Also, increased retention of wastes can result in increased confusion and disorientation, which must be reported to the physician.
- Increased weakness and fatigue: Reduced blood supply to the muscles in individuals with heart failure can result in reduced oxygen supply to the muscle, thus leading to muscle pain, fatigue, and reduced endurance to activity. Report to your physician regarding any persistently growing fatigue and exhaustion.
