Patient/caregiver was instructed that damage with poor blood and oxygen supply to the heart muscle is the central element for development of left-sided heart failure. The risk factors and causes for damage to the cardiac muscle could vary as follows: Family history: Individuals with family history of cardiomyopathy can be at increased risk for the disorder, by inheriting a defective gene, resulting in abnormal growth of heart muscle, cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. High blood pressure: [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on pathophysiology of left-sided heart failure as follows: Left side of the heart receives oxygen rich blood from the lungs and pumps this blood to the vital organs of the body through the general circulation. Strong contractions of the chambers on the left heart are needed for effective pumping of oxygen rich blood to the tissues. Damaged muscle on left side of heart, secondary to various factors, cannot contract effectively, contributing to [...]