Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate: Dr. Cynthia Speaks!
Topic: Does Your Loved One Have Heart Failure?
Since it is heart health month and I am a registered nurse with experience of caring for cardiology patients, my personal experiences, I feel, can make a good conversation. Firsthand experiences are testimonials to help others that may be going through health challenges and illnesses. I am facing the challenge of managing heart failure in my family, up close and personal. I wanted to share a few pointers to help others who may have loved ones facing this particular health issue, heart failure.
Without being too deep, heart failure is classified in two ways, systolic heart failure and diastolic heart failure; also called right-sided or left-sided failure. Heart failure happens when the heart cannot pump enough blood and oxygen to support other organs in your body. Heart failure is a serious condition but can be managed with proper education and behavior modification. You may ask what kinds of conditions can cause or increase heart failure.
If you or your family have coronary artery disease and a history of heart attacks, living with diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity, heart failure can come-a-knocking. What tips and strategies can be utilized when heart failure has been confirmed.
Symptoms for Health Failure
What are the symptoms of heart failure? Often time a feeling of being tired is the main symptom to pay attention to. Shortness of breath at rest and during any physical activities is a huge red flag. If one is experiencing trouble breathing when lying down, or you notice ankles, feet, and leg swelling, weight gain, and appetite changes, these are warning indicators.
How Can You Stay on Top of Heart Failure?
The first line of business is to always know your dry weight. Daily weights are a must! Do it the first thing in the morning. My rule of thumb is…weight over three pounds from one day to the next demands attention? You must pay attention to the previous day’s events. Ask yourself, did you eat or drink in excess? Sometimes, you must drink fewer fluids when exacerbations of the condition occur.
Did you forget to take your medication? You must also know what foods you are consuming. Yes, there are foods that you must leave alone. Yes, I said it! Also, your favorite spice, salt(sodium) is not your friend! Other spices, those that include a mixture of herbs and spices have hidden salt. Pay attention! If you are prescribed medications, take them! Avoid or limit alcohol and stop smoking. As Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate, I am asking you to learn about living a heart-healthy lifestyle. Once heart failure has been diagnosed, the chase is on to find the balance between the good and bad of food and fluids. Be safe! Be well!
