Living well with Heart Failure Annabel Sturges Heart Failure Specialist Nurse Frimley Park Hospital
How the Normal Heart works.. The Heart is a string muscular pump Its job is to pump the right amount of blood to all parts of the body For the heart to function properly the four chambers of the heart must beat in an organised way.
How the normal heart works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zho-ovoqu1i
What is Heart Failure??? The term Heart Failure means that your heart isn t pumping as strong as it should be. As a result your body isn t getting enough of the oxygen rich blood that it needs to function properly.
When you have Heart Failure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6blzj0isavq
When you have heart failure Heart Failure is a chronic lifelong condition in which the heart isn t able to pump enough blood through the heart to meet the bodies needs for blood and oxygen. Heart failure can involve the left side, the right side or both.
Left sided heart failure There are two types of left sided failure. Systolic failure The left ventricle loses its ability to contract normally, the heart can t pump with enough force to push enough blood into the circulation. Diastolic failure The ventricle loses its ability to relax normally because the muscle has become stiff, the heart cant properly fill with blood during each beat.
Left sided heart failure There are two types of left sided failure. Systolic failure The left ventricle loses its ability to contract normally, the heart can t pump with enough force to push enough blood into the circulation. Diastolic failure The ventricle loses its ability to relax normally because the muscle has become stiff, the heart cant properly fill with blood during each beat.
Right Sided Heart Failure. Right sided heart failure usually occurs as a result of left sided failure When the left ventricle fails and cannot pump enough blood out, increased fluid pressure is transferred back through the lungs which damages the right side of the heart. When the right side loses pumping power, blood backs up into the body s veins.
What causes heart failure? Heart failure is most often caused by atherosclerotic disease, this is where the body s arteries become narrowed by a build up of fatty deposits called plaque. All of the lifestyle factors that increase the risk of heart attack can also contribute to heart failure.
What causes heart failure? Having one or more of the following factors increases your risk of having heart failure. Coronary Artery disease High Blood pressure Diabetes 3 or more mebtabolic risk factors e.g abdominal obesity, high cholesterol, high blood sugars Hyperactive thyroid Abnormal heart valves Congenital heart conditions Heart Muscle disease Alcohol Drugs
Symptoms of heart failure.. Oedema - Limbs and Lungs.
Symptoms of heart failure.. Shortness of breath Fatigue Reduced exercise capacity Unable to lie flat at night due to shortness of breath Coughing/Wheezing Poor appetite Nausea Impaired thinking Fast Heart Rate
Medications!!!
Medications for heart failure.. The goal of heart failure treatment is to help you live longer and better quality of life. Treating heart failure with medication can lessen fatigue, shortness of breath and swelling. It can also improve your energy levels to help maintain physical activity. Medications can stop or slow the progression of the condition even if you have no signs or symptoms.
Commonly used medications.. ACE inhibitors These keep the heart failure from getting worse. They limit the amount of hormone called angiotensin in the blood Angiotensin causes the blood vessels to tighten and the heart to work harder Over time the heart muscle which has been stretched and enlarged, reshapes and helps the heart to pump better Beta Blockers Slows your heart rate, reducing the workload of the heart
Commonly used medications.. ARNI s (Entresto) Neprilysin is an enzyme that breaks down the natural substances in the body that open narrowed arteries. By limiting the effect of neprilysin it increases the effects of these substances and improves artery opening and blood flow, reduces salt retention and decreases strain on the heart. Diuretics They help the body get rid of excess fluid. Can cause loss of potassium.
Commonly used medications.. Aldosterone Antagonists (Spironolactone/Eplerenone) Mild diuretic effect Help to maintain potassium levels Reduces aldosterone which causes sodium to be absorbed and potassium to be lost
Other Heart Failure treatment options. Some people with heart failure need the additional support of a device.
Other Heart Failure treatment options. CRT (Cardiac Resynchronisation therapy) Also know as biventricular pacing, this is a special pacemaker is used to make the ventricles contract at the same time, this helps them to relax and contract at the same time making them more effficient ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) An ICD treats patients with dangerously abnormal heart rhythms, it sends electrical pulses to regulate abnormal heart rhythms, specifically those that can cause a cardiac arrest. LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device) A Mechanical circulatory support device, it is most often considered a bridge to transplant.
Thriving not just surviving!!!!!
Self Monitoring.. Monitoring your weight. It is important to know how much you weigh and to monitor your weight often Weight gain for several days in a row e.g 2 to 3kg in one day maybe the first sign of fluid build up. You should weigh yourself everyday preferrably after visiting the loo and before eating and drinking. Weigh yourself with the same scales and same state of dress!
Self Monitoring.. Tracking your fluid intake Many patients are given a recommended fluid intake limit often 1.5 Litres You may feel thirsty but your body may not need more liquids Take Care not to replace the fluid that the diuretics are helping to get rid of. Sucking sugar free sweets can help if your mouth feels dry
Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine.. Alcohol Raises blood pressure Raises heart rate Toxic to the cardiac muscle Raises triglycerides Can cause abnormal heart rhythms Obesity Caffeine Caffeine is a stimulant that can put more stress on the heart Decaffeinated products are fine but water is best!
Six Lifestyle Changes for Heart Failure Patient.. 1. Stop smoking. Increases heart rate and blood pressure Carbon monoxide robs the heart and brain of needed oxgen Decreases tolerance for physical activity Increases the risk of blood clots Decreases good cholesterol
Six Lifestyle Changes for Heart Failure Patient.. 2. Weight maintenance or loss. Extra weight makes your heart work harder to pump blood through your body. Losing weight can help control blood pressure and cholesterol levels Reduces your ability to keep active
Physical Activity!!..
Six Lifestyle Changes for Heart Failure Patient.. 3. Regular Physical Activity. Makes you feel more energetic Improves mood Helps with weight maintenance and loss Improves circulation Reduces stress Helps with fatigue Lowers blood pressure Increases HDL s Lowers triglycerides
Six Lifestyle Changes for Heart Failure Patient.. 4. Get enough rest and sleep Schedule time during everyday for rest and relaxation Rest gives the heart chance to pump more easily Prevents you from overdoing it! Eases feelings of tiredness from interrupted sleep at night
Six Lifestyle Changes for Heart Failure Patient.. 5. Managing stress and anxiety. Stress can make the heart work harder which can make symptoms worse Talk it out! Take 15 minutes out of your day to be quiet. Learn to accept things you cant change Count to 10! Physical activity Avoid upsetting or stressful situation s Learn to say no!! Join a support group!!
Six Lifestyle Changes for Heart Failure Patient.. 6. Dealing with depression.. It is normal to feel sad and low when you have been diagnosed with a chronic condition.. If these feelings go on for a long time they can interfere with your normal activities and slow your progress Don t be afraid to talk about your feelings! Talk to your Dr or heart failure nurse! Its common and can be treated.
Cardiac Rehab One of the best things you can do for yourself is go to cardiac rehabilitation!! A medical evaluation to figure out your needs and limitations A physical activity programme tailored individually to you. Counselling and education to help you understand your condition and how to manage it.. Support and training to help you return to work or your normal activities Counselling on modifying your risk factors.
Other things!!!. Get your jabs!!!!
Other things!!!. Be best friends with your heart failure nurse!!!!