Friday, May 3, 2024
Virtual Heart Care
Misc 

Congestive Heart Failure In The Elderly

Editor

“All I Heard Was Congestive Heart Failure.

What Does That Mean? Is She Going To Die? ”

“He Is Trying to Explain It -But It is Like The

Doctor Is Speaking Another Language.”…

Try to stay calm-learning about your elder’s

disease is important but it takes time to

process all the new information and terminology.

Any time a nurse or doctor uses a word that

you do not understand, ask them to explain

its meaning. Learning all about Congestive

Heart Failure is the key to keeping your

family member well.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is a very

common disease among the elderly. A

healthy heart can pump blood to all parts

of the body in a few seconds. When the

heart is no longer able to do this, blood

backs up into the lungs and other parts of

the body.This back up of fluid not being

pumped through the body begins to cause

difficulty—such as

Shortness of breath

Swelling in the feet, legs, and hands.

This failure of the heart to pump adequately

can be mild to severe. Controlling the

symptoms of CHF is imperative. Early

treatment prevents hospitalization of the frail

elder. Remember, each hospital stay takes its

toll on the elderly. They experience weight loss

from which they frequently never recoup.

They are left so weakened that they often

cannot walk and need rehabilitation up to

a few weeks–often needing nursing home care.

Many people with CHF have an enlarged heart

from years of having to struggle to pump the

blood. Treatment of the enlarged heart can

improve its pumping action.For most patients

treatment consists of daily medications,rest,

stress reduction,limiting salt intake and

sometimes limiting fluid intake.

The symptoms of CHF are:

  • Swelling in the feet / ankles

  • Sudden weight gain

  • Feeling tired with minimal exertion

  • Frequent urination at night

  • Short and rapid breathing

  • Difficulty breathing while lying down

  • Cough

  • Restlessness

  • Fast heart beat

  • Swelling or pain in abdomen

  • Loss of appetite

    Treating Swelling–

  • Keep feet elevated above heart level.

  • Avoid long periods of standing

  • Do not cross legs or ankles

  • Use caution to avoid bumping swollen legs/ankles

  • Lotion legs daily

  • Low salt diet—-

  • Do not salt foods

  • Avoid salty foods

  • Read labels carefully–many canned foods are

    high in salt

  • Daily Weight—-Weigh daily in early AM-

    after urinating

  • Record weigh

  • A 2 lb weight gain in 1-2 days needs to be reported.

  • A 3-5 lb weight in 3-5 days needs to be reported

    TAKE WEIGHT GAIN SERIOUSLY.

    Notify the doctor with the above weight gain

    or any of the above symptoms. These

    symptoms will get worse if ignored and your

    elder will risk serious illness probably

    resulting in hospitalization.

    Medications–It is imperative that medications

    be taken as prescribed.

    Do Not stop medications without talking to

    the doctor.

    Avoiding infections and staying healthy help

    to keep the heart failure symptoms from

    getting worse. Anything like an infection

    makes the heart work harder increasing the

    strain on the heart. This causes the heart

    rate to increase.

    If flu like symptoms are present notify the

    doctor immediately– not in a few days–

    do it now!!! Try to avoid anyone with cold or

    flu symptoms especially during peak flu season.

    Ask the doctor about pneumonia and flu vaccine.

    CHF is a chronic disability requiring frequent

    medical follow up.

    Expect to see the doctor often and do not

    cancel appointments.

    CHF can be fatal if not treated properly.

    Treated people can live many years.

    Dedicated to Eldercare!



    • Source by Alice Endy