Heart FailureK∙I∙T

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What is it?

• Heart Failure (HF) does not mean that the heart has stopped or is about to stop.

• Heart Failure is a condition in which the heart does not pump blood through the body as well as it should.

• This causes a person to feel tired & weak due to less nutrient & oxygen rich blood reaching the body’s cells.

How common is this?

• Heart Failure is very common.

• Heart Failure affects nearly 5 million Americans.

• An estimated 400,000 to 700,000 cases are diagnosed each year.

• Coronary artery disease• Previous heart attack• High blood pressure• Heart valve disease• Heart muscle disease• Abnormal heart rhythms, anemia, congenital

heart disease

What causes Heart Failure?

• Not enough blood circulates.• Blood backs up in veins.• Fluid builds up causing congestion.• The body holds too much fluid.• Fluid builds up in lungs, legs, abdomen.• HF is chronic & progressive, but people can lead

normal & active lives by taking good care of themselves & monitoring their health.

What happens in heart failure?

Symptoms of Heart Failure

• Shortness of breath• Problems breathing

when lying down• Waking at night with

coughing or shortness of breath

• Edema or swelling to feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen

• Weakness or tiredness

• Weight gain• Loss of appetite• Increased heart rate

or palpitations• Confusion or inability

to think clearly

Heart Failure

Ways to manage the disease

• Weighing daily is very important.• Take medications as directed.• Follow a low sodium diet.• Get regular exercise.• Stop smoking.• Avoid excess fluid consumption, alcohol.• Know the warning signs of heart failure & when

to call the doctor.• Keep follow up appointments.

Management of the disease

The goal is to monitor for symptoms everydaya stable CHF patient should have:

• No shortness of breath• No weight gain of more than 2 pounds in a day• No swelling of feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen• No chest pain

• 2 lb weight gain in 1 day• More than 5 lb weight gain in a week• Shortness of breath• Edema/swelling to feet, ankles, legs, stomach• Lack of energy or feeling more tired• Dry hacking cough• Dizziness• Uneasy feeling – something is not right• Harder to breath when lying flat

Call the doctor for any of these warning signs:

• Struggling to breathe• Unrelieved shortness of breath• Chest pain• Confusion• Inability to think clearly

Call 911 or go to ER when:

• Weigh daily and keep a record.• Same time each day, with the same amount of

clothing.• Usually done first thing in the morning after going to

the bathroom.• Before breakfast.• Concerned family or friends can encouage each day

or ask “How was your weight today?”or “Have you noticed any changes in your weight?”

• Bring the weight record to all physician appoinments

Daily Weights

• Take medications exactly as prescribed & have an updated & accurate list.

• Common HF medications:– Diuretics (water pills) – Lasix/furosemide,

Zaroxolyn/metolazone, Bumex/bumetanide, Aldactone/spironolactone

– ACE inhibitors – Zestril/lisinopril, Capoten/captopril, Vasotec/enalapril, Altace/ramipril

– ARB (used instead of ACE) – Cozaar/losartan, Diovan/valsartan, Atacand/candesartan

– Beta blockers – Lopressor or Toprol/metoprolol, Coreg/carvedilol,

Medications

Physical Activity

• Incorporate exercise in your activities• Form an exercise group to help with motivation• Types of physical activity

– Walking– Gardening– Biking– Wii

• Cardiac rehab• Be sure though that you are balancing rest &

exercise

Diet• Diet is very important in the management of HF• Limit sodium intake• Use fresh instead of canned • Avoid processed foods• Limit fluid intake• Try to bake, broil, steam, roast, poach, boil foods

without salt• Help or encourage residents to make the right

choices & serving sizes

Sodium

• Less than 2000mg/day is the goal• Don’t add salt when cooking• Season with herbs instead• Try to used fresh or frozen vegetables instead of

canned, but if you must use canned, rinse the vegetables off before using

• Avoid processed foods like hot dogs, lunch meats, bacon, etc.

• Be aware of sodium content in sauces, dressings, & spreads

Fresh instead of Canned

• 1 cup of fresh cooked peas:

2mg of sodium

• 1 cup of regular canned peas:

400mg of sodium

Salt

One level teaspoon of salt has about

2300 mg of sodium

Sodium

• Breads (yeast breads have less sodium than those made with baking soda)

• Many cold cereals like shredded wheat, bran flakes, puffed rice/wheat

• Cooked cereals, pastas, rice & other starches made without salt

• Low fat or reduced sodium cheese in small amounts

• Tuna packed in water• Fresh meats & fish• Eggs• Any fresh or frozen fruit or

vegetables

• Breads or crackers topped with salt

• Biscuits, cornbread, & other quick breads made with baking soda

• Canned or pickled vegetables like sauerkraut

• French fries & onion rings• Buttermilk & processed cheeses• Cured, smoked or canned meats• Salted butter/margarine, ketchup,

BBQ sauce, salsa, pickles, soy sauce

• LOW sodium foods • HIGH sodium foods

Fluids

• As a general rule people with heart failure should avoid excess fluids.

• Some people may also be instructed to restrict their fluids.

• This just isn’t beverages but also soups, jellos, ice creams, etc.

• Alcohol should be avoided.

Summary• Heart Failure is a chronic condition in which the heart

can not pump blood through the body as well as it should.

• This causes blood to back up & fluid to build setting off symptoms of shortness of breath, swelling, fatigue, cough, dizziness, & weight gain.

• Heart Failure can be managed by monitoring for symptoms daily, a low sodium diet, limiting fluids, & exercise.

• Websites:– www.abouthf.org– www.heart.org– www.heartfailure.org