Question

Hi

What strategies you can be devised to target CHF patients in a bid to manage their care better at home and prevent constant Emergency room trips? Thank you.

Answer 1

The person with CHF should atleast know how to check certain vital signs like daily body weight and blood pressure. certain life style changes can aslo helps to manage wellness.

For a patient with heart failure they should so atleast following..

1.weigh every day.

Better to check weight every day morning before going to bathroom, because weight gain is the sign of heart failure as it due to retaining fluid,Keep a daily chart of weight and observe the patient not gaining acceptable range of weight

​​​​​2.Monitor your blood pressure

Select a standard blood pressure monitoring kit and assess the blood pressure according to patient weight and write it down in a paper .Then show the reading while visiting doctor

3.Limits Liquids

Drinking too much of fluids can worsen the heart failure symptoms,

The patient will have to limit intake of coffee,juice tea and soft drinks.

Talk the health care team regarding what type of fluid can drink amd what amount.

.​​4.Reduce salt intake

Salt is dangerous in increasing fluid content in the body and worsen heart failure

Dietary sodium restriction is the most important measure recommended for heart failure patient

There are easy steps to reduce daily salt intake like select "no salt" or low salt added items while buying canned or frozen foods

​​5.Take medication correctly

It is very important to take heart failure medication according to the symptoms as directed by the doctor

6.​​​​​6.Dressing style

Avoid using tight socks as it prevent blood flow from lower part of the body to the heart

7.Develope good sleep hygiene

Getting adequate sleep is must for overall health

As heart failure worsen there will be sleep disordered breathing like sleep apnea,so it's important to have a good sleeping routine

8.Consider a home monitoring device

It will help to keep the patient safe and check the patient daily progress