7 USEFUL TIPS WHEN CARING FOR A HEART FAILURE PATIENT
The prevalence of heart failures in the world population has increased incredibly. Despite of the advancement of health care facilities, the issue tends to remain stagnant. Caring for a heart failure patient at home is equally essential, same as the intensive care provided in the hospital.
In a
research conducted in the US, the Cardiovascular disease continues to be the
chief cause of death in the region. Patients who had been fortunate enough to
receive immediate care in the hospital, had to maintain a healthy lifestyle for
maximum recovery.
Here, we have gathered 8 useful tips when caring for a heart failure patient at home.
1. Managing
fluid intake
The
marvelous benefits of having optimum water and fluid intake, has been preached,
ever since the health system came into being. Although water makes up 70% of
the body's total body weight, it can become a problem for a heart failure
patient.
Heart failure
compromises the kidney function, which leads to poor excretion of water and
sodium. This leads to a higher water content in the body and in turn increases stress on the heart, that already struggles to function after heart failure.
It is
therefore recommended to keep the liquids equal to 2 quarts or less per day. But the fluid intake must not be reduced to the
point, where the body becomes dehydrated. Try consulting the health care
professional, to decide the accurate amount of fluid intake as per your condition.
2.
Consumption of medicine on time
Doctors will
most definitely prescribe a list of medications after the event of heart
failure. These medicines target problems which arise subsequent to inadequate
functioning of the heart.Some
medications that are usually given to heart failure patients are:
1. Digoxin: It slows down the heart rate
by reinforcing the muscles of the heart.
2. Beta-blockers: This drug lowers blood
pressure and slows down the heart rate.
3. ACE-inhibitors: These medications
keep the blood vessels relaxed. This lowers blood pressure and excessive load
on the heart.
4. Diuretics: This set of drugs is
utilized in excreting excess water from the body.
5. Hydralazine and Isosorbide dinitrate:
These also take part in relaxing blood vessels.
Hence,
medications are to be taken religiously and on time, to reduce the risk of
another incident of heart failure.
3. Noticing
abnormal functioning of the heart
The heart is
not able to function effectively in a heart failure patient and hence faces
trouble to supply blood to distant organs. These distant organs include the lower limbs, which often swell due to retention of water.
Abnormal
functioning is manifested through symptoms. These signs signify the negative response of the heart to stresses.
The common symptoms involve:
1. Shortness of breath
2. Abdominal swelling
3. Fatigue
4. Coughing due to abnormal respiration
Such signs must
not be overlooked and dealt with, promptly.
4. Rest is necessary
for recovery
Older people
are always on the go, to run errands. The long time taken in recovery from a heart failure episode, might agitate
them. Caretakers around must make sure that they do not compromise on their
health, just to walk long distances to buy some groceries.
Furthermore,
it is suggested that an effective plan for the week be made to help in the
management of daily activities and taking rest.
5. Perform
exercises
Physical health
is key to having a normal functioning heart. But being physically active,
immediately after leaving the hospital, is discouraged by medical experts.
The Cardiac
Rehabilitation team is appointed to gradually aid the patient in resuming his
daily routine. They are not hasty and instead, train the individual patiently, in getting physically fit again. All of this, is practiced based on the principles of Cardiac physical therapy.
6. Install a
home monitoring device
Most
children start living separately from their parents, as soon as they reach
puberty. This could be done for the aim of getting higher education or simply
because a job they applied for, is located outside their town.
A patient
with heart failure needs constant attention as there's a high chance of their
health being deteriorated at any time.
To avoid
such a situation, it is recommended to install a monitoring device, for e.g: a
CCTV camera. This saves the family from witnessing an unfortunate death, just
because there was no one around to help, while the patient struggled during a cardiac arrest.
7: Emotional
health must be taken care of
Often after
undergoing an experience of heart failure, the patients fall into
emotional distress. A beneficial mental counseling is important to pull out the
patient from the mental trauma and assist him to continue living positively.
This can be
achieved by convincing the patient to take therapy sessions from a
psychiatrist. Along with this, emotional support from the family is equally
integral to the overall improvement in the patient's health.
We hope to make things easier for you to understand. For further query, write to us in the comment section below.
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