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What is Congestive Heart Failure?
The heart is a powerful muscle that pumps blood to all parts of the body. Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is a condition where the heart muscle has become weak. As a result, the heart can no longer pump blood as effectively as it should for normal body functions. Why does my heart become weak?
Various factors may cause the weakening of the heart muscle: - Heart Attack
- High Blood Pressure
- Faulty heart valves
- Cardiomyopathy (damage to the heart by a virus or alcohol)
- Other medical conditions (eg rheumatic heart disease, thyroid disease)
What happens if I do not do anything about my weak heart?
If not treated, heart failure can progress to cause permanent damage to the heart. As the heart's ability to pump continues to weaken, the symptoms become more & more severe. Your ability to work or carry out normal daily activities will be affected. The damage may come to a point where medication can no longer provide relief and the only solution may be a heart transplant.How can I control Congestive Heart Failure?
By taking the certain steps, you can relieve your symptoms and prevent your heart from getting weaker. You can also reduce the risks of complications that may lead to hospitalization. Make use of a Self-Care Diary to monitor your condition.
Important Steps to Take : - Watch your fluid and salt intake. Salt is our main source of sodium and sodium causes kidney to retain fluid, which worsens congestive heart failure symptoms.
- Take your medication as prescribed. Several different types of medication work in different ways to control CHF. It is most important that you take your medication accordingly. Your pharmacist will explain the various medications you are taking and give you appropriate advice.
- Avoid substances that can damage your heart. Excessive alcohol intake and smoking are harmful to you heart. Speak to your case pharmacist if you need help to stop either habit.
- Balance activity and rest. Both activity and rest are important for the health of your heart and balancing them is the key to minimizing symptoms. Managing your stress is also important in minimizing symptoms of CHF.
- Be aware of signs and symptoms of heart failure. It is important for your to keep track of any changes and if you have more symptoms than usual, you must report these to your doctor.
Fluid and Salt intake
Taking too much fluids and sodium in your diet can worsen the symptoms of congestive heart failure.How much fluid can I take?
Limit the amount of fluids to not more than 1.5 litres a day. This includes drinks such as coffee, tea, soup, porridge and water that you drink with your medication. Watching your weight is important as an increase could mean excess fluids collecting in your body. How much salt can I take?
We get sodium from the food we eat. The main source is sodium chloride or more commonly known as salt. Your dietitian will advise you on the amount of salt you can take. Major source of sodium in food - Salt : added to cooking or at the table
- Processed foods : sodium added in the processing or preserving of food (eg salted egg, salted fish and pickes)
- Natural : sodium is naturally present in all plant and animal products.
Foods high in Sodium- Salt
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
- Vegetable salts and flakes - eg garlic salt
- Smoked, processed or cured meats and fish - eg ham, bacon, sausages, anchovies
- Meat extracts and stock cubes -eg chicken and beef flavoured seasoning cubes/powder
- Salted foods such as potato chips, corn chips, salted nuts, crackers
- Prepared condiments, soy sauce, commercial salad dressings, olives
- Prepared frozen food
- Prepackaged mixes for gravies and sachet seasonings
- Canned soups, canned meats and canned vegetables unless made without salt
Medication
Taking your medication is an important part of your treatment plan. They work to prevent and relieve symptoms, and may help your heart pump more effectively.
A Few Tips - Don't change your dosage or stop taking medication without first consulting tour doctor or pharmacist.
- Take your medication at the same time daily. For example, after you brush your teeth or after you have had your breakfast.
- Place your medication in a pillbox with a separate container for each day of the week.
- Ask a family member to remind you.(they can do it via a reminder card)!
- Refill your prescription before you run out of the medication.
- Check with your pharmacist before taking any other over the counter medication.
Side Effects
Every medication has side effects. The
table here
may state some of the common side effects you MAY experience when taking the medication. This does not mean that you will definitely experience those side effects if you take the medication. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any problems with your medication.
Alcohol and Smoking
Alcohol
Although there is evidence that moderate alcohol intake may lower the risk for
heart disease,
taking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure, cause congestive heart failure or lead to stroke.
Smoking
Nicotine triggers the body to release adrenaline, which narrows the blood vessels and forces the heart to beat faster. Smoking damages the blood vessels, reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood and makes the heart beat faster. All these can lead to congestive heart failure as well as make the condition worse.
Smokers have twice the risk of non smokers for heart disease. Smoking is also the single biggest risk factor for sudden cardiac death. Even non smokers must take extra care to avoid exposure to tobacco smoke, which has been shown to increase the risk of heart disease among those who do not smoke.
Activity and Rest
Return to Daily Activities
You can carry out your daily activities and continue to lead a normal lifestyle, despite having a congestive heart failure condition. To help your heart to heal, it is important that you return to your previous home, leisure and work activities gradually. You should consider using energy conservation techniques in your gradual return to daily activities. Some people with heart failure will also benefit from using assisted equipment and/or making changes to their home environment. Do consult your occupational therapist if you have concerns about your return to daily activities.Energy Conservation
Energy Conservation techniques are useful ways that you can adopt to help you return and continue doing the things you used to do in your daily life. Here are some ways for conserving energy : - Approach your day calmly
- Allow enough time for each task so that you don't have to rush
- Plan realistically and prioritise the things you need to do for the day
- Take short breaks and rest between tasks, even when not feeling tired.
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