Life-style Measures to be Observed by Individuals with Congestive Heart Failure-3

Patient/caregiver was instructed regarding life-style measures to be observed with congestive heart failure as follows: Fluid back-up and edema due to heart failure can contribute to acute weight gain. Observe compliance with log maintenance of everyday weight recording. 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. Reduced [...]

Life-style Measures to be Observed by Individuals with Congestive Heart Failure-2

Patient/caregiver was instructed regarding life-style measures to be observed with congestive heart failure as follows: Fluid back-up into the lungs in individuals with heart failure can lead to fluid retention in the chest, difficulty in gas exchange in the lungs, poor oxygen pick-up, and exacerbation of shortness of breath. Observe compliance with log maintenance of everyday oxygen saturation readings. Report to your physician regarding any oxygen saturations consistently below 90. Oxygen dependent individuals must observe [...]

Life-style Measures to be Observed by Individuals with Congestive Heart Failure-1

Patient/caregiver was instructed regarding life-style measures to be observed with congestive heart failure as follows: Reduced output of blood from the heart, in individuals with congestive heart failure, can result in low blood pressure and hypotensive symptoms of dizziness and lightheadedness. Observe compliance with log maintenance of everyday blood pressure and heart rate readings. Report to your physician regarding any consistent systolic readings below 90 and above 160. Report consistent diastolic readings below 60 and [...]

Complications of Congestive Heart Failure-3

Patient/caregiver was instructed regarding complications of congestive heart failure as follows: Arrhythmia: Damaged heart muscle, secondary to poor blood and oxygen supply, can lead to palpitations and arrhythmias. Individuals with history of arrhythmia can be at increased risk for presentation with fluttering in the chest, abnormal heartbeat, poorly felt pulse, dizziness, chest pain, altered levels of consciousness, and fainting. Blood clot formation: Compromised heart function with fluid back-up, in individuals with heart failure, can increase [...]

Complications of Congestive Heart Failure-2

Patient/caregiver was instructed regarding complications of congestive heart failure as follows: Chest pain and discomfort: Back-up of blood in the heart chambers can result in increased pressure and discomfort in the chest and increased workload on the heart. This increased workload on the heart can result in demand for extra blood and oxygen supply. As, blood and oxygen supply to heart muscle is already compromised in individuals with heart failure, any extra demand can result [...]