Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Deck of Cards
Each card is categorized by color. The categories are: Orange = Disease Process Yellow = Medication Management Purple = Diet Blue = Medical Procedures Green = Lifestyle Changes Red = Emergencies
What is Congestive Heart Failure?
Congestive (kon-JES-tiv) Heart Failure Is also called “CHF” or “heart failure”.
Normal Heart
CHF Heart
It occurs when the heart muscle is weak and has trouble pumping out blood.
What causes Congestive Heart Failure, CHF?
Causes: • • • • • • •
Heart attack Heart disease High blood pressure Heart valve problems Heart muscle disease Diabetes Narrowed arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle
What are the signs and symptoms What you may be feeling: of CHF? • • • • •
Have trouble breathing that is worse during exercise or when lying down Restless, tired, or weak Not hungry, or feel full quickly when you eat Dry cough that does not go away Cough up white frothy phlegm (spit).
Other signs: • •
Edema (swelling) in your ankles, legs, or abdomen Weight gain
What is this swelling of hands, ankles, and feet about? What is edema?
Edema or swelling
When the left side of the heart cannot adequately pump blood to the body, blood can "back up" into the lungs, causing difficulty breathing and tiredness Pressure can also build when the right side of the heart cannot pump efficiently. This "right-sided" heart failure causes swelling (edema), usually in the feet and legs, and sometimes, in the abdomen.
What is Ejection Fraction, EF?
Ejection Fraction (EF) Is frequently used to determine the pumping function of the heart. EF is the amount of blood pumped out of the heart during each beat or contraction. In a healthy heart, 50-75% of the blood is pumped out during each beat. (Many people with heart failure pump out less than 50%).
Can I have sex?
A good guideline to remember is that the amount of stress on you heart during sexual intercourse is the same as climbing two flights of stairs or walking a block at a brisk pace. If you are able to do those activities, you should not have problems resuming sex with your regular partner. • • • • • •
Choose a time when you are rested and relaxed Wait on to three hours after eating a full meal Wait an hour after bathing Don’t drink alcohol for at least three hours before Choose a place that is familiar, peaceful and free from interruptions Try new positions to avoid straining your upper arms and chest
What type of medications will be prescribed to me?
Medications that you might be prescribed: • • • • • • • • • •
Ace Inhibitors Aldactone Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers Anticoagulants Beta Blockers Digitalis Diuretics Nitrates Potassium Vasodilators
I was prescribed an Ace Inhibitor. What is this medication for? What are the side effects?
Ace Inhibitors are the first line of therapy for heart failure. ACEI lower your blood pressure so your heart doesn’t work as hard. ACEI prevent further damage of the heart.
Examples of ACE inhibitors: • • • • •
benazepril (brand name: LOTENSIN), captopril (brand name: CAPOTEN), lisinopril (brand names: ZESTRIL and PRINIVIL), quinapril (brand name: ACCUPRIL), and ramipril (brand name: ALTACE).
Side Effects: Persistent dry cough, lightheadedness or dizziness especially when standing up from a lying or sitting position, skin rash, change in you sense of taste, increase in blood potassium levels, swelling of face and/or lips.
I was prescribed an Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers. What is this medication for? What are the side effects?
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