Patient/caregiver was educated upon findings to watch for and report with atrial flutter as follows: Hypotension: Reduced output of blood from the heart due to arrhythmia 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 diastolic readings below 60. Acute weight gain: Observe compliance with log maintenance of everyday [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated upon complications of atrial flutter as follows: Acute weight gain: Fluid back-up and edema due to arrhythmia can contribute to acute weight gain. Weight gain could be significant in individuals with coexisting complaints, such as valvular diseases and heart failure. Compromised end organ function: Progressively reduced blood supply to the end organs, such as, brain, heart, lung, stomach, and kidneys, can result in deterioration of overall function and failure of these organs. [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated upon complications of atrial flutter as follows: Chest pain and discomfort: As part of reduced blood flow to the vital organs, blood and oxygen supply to heart muscle is compromised, which can result in chest pain and discomfort. In severe cases, individuals can even present with an episode of myocardial infarction or heart attack, damaging the heart muscle further. Worsening of arrhythmia: Damaged heart muscle, secondary to poor blood and oxygen supply, [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated upon complications of atrial flutter as follows: Hypotension: The ineffective and rapid contractions of the heart chambers with atrial flutter result in reduced output of blood from the heart, leading to low blood volume in circulation, hypotension with dizziness and lightheadedness. Also, reduced blood supply to brain, secondary to hypotension and reduced output from heart, can contribute to altered level of consciousness. Eventually, this increases risk for falls and accidents. Heart failure: [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated that risk factors for atrial flutter include any conditions that can lead to excessive and/or abnormal stimulation of heart. These conditions are as follows: Previous heart surgery Scar tissue can form during healing of cardiac tissue post-surgery. This scar tissue resists normal conduction of cardiac impulse. This can result in abnormal route of conduction of cardiac impulse, resulting in atrial flutter. Stress and Anxiety In conditions of stress and anxiety, excess adrenaline [...]