1. Kristina Zurita, RN Heart Failure Unit Florida Hospital 2013

2.  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)

4.  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)

5.  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)

6.  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)

7.  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)

8.  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)

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

10.  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)

11.  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)

12.  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

13.  Hines, P., Yu, K., & Randall, M. (2010). Preventing heart failure readmissions: is your organization prepared? Nursing Economic$, 28 (2), 74-86.  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), 368-376.  Mayo Clinic (2013). Heart failure. Retrieved on November 15, 2013 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart- failure/DS00061 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart- failure/DS00061