Heart Failure Services

Transcription

1 MOUNT CARMEL Heart Failure Services Self-Care Diary MOUNT CARMEL Heart Failure Services

2 Name Healthcare providers Heart Failure Center Family Doctor Cardiologist (Heart Doctor) Others Pharmacy Other Contacts After hours call Emergency 911 Bring this booklet to all of your clinic/office visits. 1

3 Notes Questions for my provider: Notes from my provider visit: Changes to my treatment plan: 2

4 Make Changes in Your Life Medications Heart failure medications are an important part of your treatment plan. Make sure you take your medications every day, even when you re feeling well. Never skip doses. Avoid medications such as Motrin, Aleve, and ibruprophen. Activity A little activity every day can help you feel better. Go for a walk, visit with a friend, or do some work in your garden. But know your limits and don't overdo it. Stop and rest if you feel tired or short of breath. You'll probably have good days and bad days. Diet When you have heart failure it's important to reduce the amount of salt or sodium in your diet. Too much sodium can cause your body to retain fluid, which can make the symptoms of heart failure worse. Eat less than 2,000 mg of sodium per day. (2,000 mg = 2 g sodium) Keep your fluid intake less than 2 liters per day. Giving up sodium doesn't mean giving up flavor in the foods you eat. Ask your healthcare provider for some simple steps to limit sodium intake. If you have health conditions besides heart failure, you may need to make other diet changes. Talk your doctor or a dietitian. 3

5 Make Changes in Your Life Weight Your healthcare provider will recommend a target weight for you. My target weight is pounds. (This weight is when you are NOT retaining fluid.) It s important that you weigh yourself every day so you ll know if you re maintaining your target weight. When possible, it s best to weigh yourself at the same time every morning. Call your doctor if: You gain more than 2 pounds in one day You gain more than 5 pounds in one week A rapid weight gain may be a sign that your body is retaining fluid. In this case, you may need a change to your treatment plan. Note: You may also need a change in your treatment plan if you LOSE weight quickly. Rapid weight loss may be a sign of dehydration. Call your doctor if you drop 5 pounds below your target weight in one day. 4

6 Heart Failure Zones To help you manage your heart failure symptoms and prevent them from getting severe, review and learn your heart failure zones. Just as the colors on a stoplight tell a driver what to do, the green, yellow and red zones tell you how to manage your heart failure. Every Day: Weigh yourself and write it down. Limit your sodium intake to 2,000 mg per day. Take all of your medications. Check for zone symptoms. How the Zones Work GREEN When you're in the green zone, your heart failure symptoms are stable and don't interfere with everyday activities. YELLOW When you're in the yellow zone, your heart failure symptoms are getting worse. Call your healthcare provider to find out which steps to take to prevent symptoms from becoming severe. RED Once in the red zone, your heart failure symptoms are severe. You are in trouble. Call your healthcare provider or seek emergency care right away. go caution alert 5

7 Heart Failure Zone Action Plan Green Zone You have: No shortness of breath No weight gain of more than 2 pounds in a day No swelling of your feet, ankles, legs or stomach No chest pain Yellow Zone Call your doctor if you: Feel short of breath Develop a cough or chest congestion Gain more than 2 pounds in one day or more than 5 pounds in one week Have swelling in your feet, ankles, legs or stomach Feel more tired after usual activities Feel restless, dizzy, or lightheaded Red Zone Call 911 for emergency help if you: Have severe shortness of breath Have chest discomfort lasting longer than 10 minutes Faint or pass out Get help right away Do not drive. 6

8 Resources Books Living with Heart Failure The Misnamed, Misunderstood Condition Edward K. Kasper, M.D. and Mary Knudson American Heart Association Low-Salt Cookbook American Heart Association Web Sites American Association of Heart Failure: Nurses Patient Education htm/index.htm National Institute of Health: Congestive Heart Failure slide show and interactive tutorial National Institute of Health: Heart Failure Information for Seniors National Institute of Health: Reduce Salt and Sodium in Your Diet 7

9 Daily Tracking Instructions for Daily Tracking At the beginning of a new month, write in your target weight and the month at the top of the page. Write in the day of the month in the square in each box. Each day record your weight. 21 Mon /80 Put a check in the zone you are in for the day. Take and record your blood pressure as your doctor has instructed. Follow the Heart Failure Zone Action Plan 8

10 9 Month: Target Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

11 Notes Questions for my provider: Notes from my provider visit: Changes to my treatment plan: 10

12 11 Month: Target Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

13 Notes Questions for my provider: Notes from my provider visit: Changes to my treatment plan: 12

14 13 Month: Target Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

15 Questions for my provider: Notes from my provider visit: Changes to my treatment plan: 14

16 15 Month: Target Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

17 Notes Questions for my provider: Notes from my provider visit: Changes to my treatment plan: 16

18 17 Month: Target Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

19 Notes Questions for my provider: Notes from my provider visit: Changes to my treatment plan: 18

20 19 Month: Target Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

21 Notes Questions for my provider: Notes from my provider visit: Changes to my treatment plan: 20

22 21 Month: Target Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

23 Notes Questions for my provider: Notes from my provider visit: Changes to my treatment plan: 22

24 February 2012 MOUNT CARMEL Heart Failure Services