Caregiving for Congestive Cardiac failure

Education for patients and family caregivers by

Dr. Gazala Shaikh

What is Heart Failure?

Causes of CCF

• CAD ( most common)• Residual damage after heart attack• Hypertension ( HBP)• Damage to heart muscles from other

causes..infections,• Other conditions that make CCF more

likely to develop (

Incidence of CCF

• Leading cause of hospitalization in patients over age 65yrs.

• More than 15 millions new cases of ccf estimated world wide every year.

• Rapidly increasing number due to aging population.

Symptoms of CCF

• Hard time breathing• Swollen ankles, legs, or abdomen

(edema) Feeling weak and tired 

Prognosis of CCF

• Despite many advances in drug therapy and cardiac assist devices, prognosis remains poor.

Please Remember

• Heart Failure is Chronic It requires lifelong treatment.

• Heart Failure Can Be Treated with Medications ,Procedures and Surgery 

• Heart failure is not simple The doctor needs to see you often to keep you well 

Managing CCF at home

Six TipsTake Medications as Ordered by Your DoctorGo to Doctor Appointments Monitor (watch) Your Symptoms and WeightAdapt Diet (eating) and Fluids (drinking) Get Exercise as Directed Limit Alcohol, Caffeine and Tobacco 

Medications

• are necessary even when you are feeling well. • Go over your list of medications with your

doctor or nurse Make sure you understand how and when to take them Ask about side effects (reactions)

• Bring your medications or a list of your medications to all of your doctor appointments.

• Tell your doctor about any side effects or reactions 

Prepare Medicine chart

• http://www.heartfailurematters.org/static_file/HeartFailureMatters/Documents/EN/Medicine_chart.pdf

REMEMBER

Patients who take their medicines live longer, feel better, and spend less time in the hospital. 

Doctor Appointments

• Bring a friend or family member • Bring all medications or a medication list to

all appointments • Ask questions! ( specific) and Listen carefully,

W/F warning symptoms and events

• http://www.heartfailurematters.org/static_file/HeartFailureMatters/Documents/EN/Monitoring%20chart.pdf

• Keep daily log of weight..Heart rate and Blood pressure..

Weight record

• Weigh yourself every morning at about the same time

• After urinating • Before having anything to drink • In the same amount of clothing • Use the same scale 

Zones of CCF management

Call or visit your doctor if

• A gain of 3 pounds or more within a week• Swelling in hands, ankle or feet• Breathing difficulty, coughing at night• Dry cough• Nausea and vomiting• Decreased urination• Feeling tired..or no energy ( fatigue)• Dizziness

Emergency…Call 911/108

• Call 108If any of the following symptoms appears

Struggling to breathe..unrelieved Shortness of breath even staying still

Chest PainConfusion…can not think clearly

Communicate with clarity

• Don’t panic• BE prepared with information the doctor will

need…Inform the symptoms and medication clearly

• Quick tips..Keep paper and pen ready to write down instruction..

Ask question if you don’t understand..ask to clarify

Keep Healthy Eating and Drinking

Eating a low salt diet• Do not add salt to any meals Try to eat less

than 2000 mg of sodium a day One teaspoon of salt = 2300 mg of sodium

• Reading a Labelchoose heart healthy foods Baked or broiled

 Fluid Restriction

• Sometimes doctors will limit the amount of liquids patients can have every day

• Foods that count as liquids are: yogurt, pudding, ice cream, and gelatin

• Some fruits have liquid: 1 orange or ½ Grapefruit = 4 ounces of fluid

Tips to Battle Thirst

• Use ice chips or freeze juice in an ice cube tray

• Rinse the mouth• Use a lemon wedge, gum, frozen grapes,

strawberries or hard candy  

Exercise and Activity

• ASK your doctor and follow

LIMIT Alcohol, tobacoo and Caffeine

QUIT Smoking

Limit Caffeine intake..1-2 cups a day

Decrease Alcohol intake

Pay attention to emotional health

W/F for Depression and GriefSymptomsChange in appetiteChanges in sleepFeeling of guilt, hopelessness and despairFatigueThoughts of suicide and deathWithdrawal