Kristina Zurita, RN Heart Failure Unit Florida Hospital 2013

 Heart failure is a chronic disease that has no real cure  It may be controlled through medications, following a heart healthy diet, along with a regular exercise regimen  patients suffer a lifetime trying to control the symptoms and exacerbations of heart failure (Mayoclinic.com, 2013)

 Over 5 million people in the US are currently diagnosed with heart failure  550,000 more people being diagnosed each year  One million people are admitted to an inpatient hospital setting/year  27% of them are on Medicare and get readmitted within 30 days (Hines, Yu, & Randall, 2010)

 The intention of proper heart failure education is to improve the patients living with this chronic disease  Education in specific areas are needed: diet and activity, medications, weight monitoring, recognizing worsening signs and symptoms, and follow-up appointments  Involving patients and families in education (Manning, 2011)

 Shortness of breath  Swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet  Fatigue and weakness  Decrease in activity level  Swelling of your abdomen  Sudden weight gain  Rapid or irregular heartbeat  Lack of appetite and nausea (MayoClinic.com, 2013)

 Maintain a heart healthy diet  Restrict salt in your diet  For heart failure patients, less than 2,000 mg/day  Check with your physician for the recommendation for you  Limit fats and cholesterol  Limit alcohol and fluids  Check with your physician for your restrictions  Exercise regularly  Check with your physician before starting an exercise plan (MayoClinic.com, 2013)

 Beta blockers (carvedilol, metoprolol, bisoprolol)  ACE/ARBs (lisinopril, enalapril, captopril and losartan, valsartan)  Diuretics (furosemide, bumetanide) ***Check with your physician as to what specific medications you should be on! (MayoClinic.com, 2013)

BE SURE TO NEVER RUN OUT OF YOUR MEDICATIONS and CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR REFILLS!!!

 Weight yourself EVERYDAY at the same time  Chart your weight using a journal  Bring your weight chart to your doctors appointments  Recognize trends  NOTIFY YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE A WEIGHT GAIN OF 5 OR MORE POUND IN ONE WEEK!!! (MayoClinic.com, 2013)

 Schedule appointments and attend  Bring a list of your medications  Bring your weight chart  Bring a list of any questions you may have  Write down any symptoms you may be experiencing  BRING A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER! (MayoClinic.com, 2013)

 Recognize signs and symptoms of worsening heart failure (SOB, swelling) and call your doctor  Take your medications as prescribed  Record your weight daily and call your doctor for weight gains of >5lbs in one week  Follow a health diet and exercise regularly  Follow up with all doctor appointments

 Hines, P., Yu, K., & Randall, M. (2010). Preventing heart failure readmissions: is your organization prepared? Nursing Economic$, 28 (2),  Manning, S. (2011). Bridging the gap between hospital and home: a new model of care for reducing readmission rates in chronic heart failure. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 26 (5),  Mayo Clinic (2013). Heart failure. Retrieved on November 15, 2013 from failure/DS failure/DS00061