Heart Failure Awareness Day at Nenagh hospital
International Heart Failure Awareness Week takes place in early May and is being marked at Nenagh Hospital with an information day on Thursday May 4th (9am to 1pm) in the main foyer of the hospital.
Members of the public are encouraged to attend to learn more about their heart health. Nenagh hospital runs a specialist nurse-led heart failure clinic for outpatients (see information below) and also runs cardiac rehabilitation classes.
Introduction
The heart is a muscular pump that provides blood to all the organs in the body. The heart must squeeze to pump blood, which produces the heart beat and relax between each beat in order to fill with blood again. If either of these functions don’t work properly you may get heart failure (HF).
What is heart failure?
Heart failure is a medical condition whereby the heart’s efficiency is compromised, therefore the blood supplied by the heart is insufficient for the body’s demands.
What are the causes of HF?
Weakened heart muscle due to a heart attack, which damages part of the heart muscle, is a cause. Long-term uncontrolled high blood pressure, damaged heart valves, alcohol or viral related damage to heart muscle are also causes.
What are the symptoms of HF?
Typical symptoms include breathlessness, extreme tiredness, and fluid retention, which can cause swollen ankles. Loss of appetite and irregular heart rhythm can also occur. Disturbances in the heart rhythm can cause palpitations, dizziness or blackouts. Not everyone who has these symptoms suffers from heart failure. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns that your symptoms may be HF.
What test will my doctor do?
The doctor will assess your symptoms and how they interfere with normal activities and examine your heart, lungs, blood pressure and pulse. The following tests will help in diagnosis: blood tests, Electrocardiograph (ECG) and Echocardiogram (heart scan). Further invasive tests may be necessary.
Treatment of HF is aimed at:
· Improving symptoms and health promotion.
· Stabilising heart function and preventing it from getting worse.
· Preventing heart rhythm problems.
· Helping you live longer.
Monitoring heart failure symptoms daily and taking action if you notice any deterioration is very important. Fluid build up can be noticed by checking ankles for swelling and checking for sudden weight gain by daily recording of body weight.
Lifestyle changes are important, balancing physical activity with rest, healthy eating, taking medicines as prescribed and reducing stress. Physical activity should be gradual and increased slowly over weeks to help the heart become more efficient.
Healthy eating involves a low fat diet, avoiding salt, oily fish twice weekly, eating plenty of fruit and vegetables 5-7portions daily and controlling the amount of fluids you drink.
Medicines are used to control symptoms and reduce the workload of the heart.
What supports are there to help-?
Some patients with chronic heart failure benefit from attending a specialist nurse-led heart failure clinic for support, education and ongoing monitoring closely supervised by a consultant cardiologist for medical management. The specialist nurse teaches you the knowledge and self-care skills needed to manage your symptoms.
This service is provided at the Heart Failure Support Unit in the outpatients department at Nenagh hospital. You will also get advice on how to reduce risk factors such as smoking, excess alcohol, high cholesterol or obesity. The specialist nurse works with the cardiologist to manage the illness, optimise treatment and assess the need for further options such as pacemakers or defibrillators. By adherence to recommended treatment, monitoring symptoms and contacting your specialist nurse if symptoms deteriorate hospitalisations can be avoided and quality of life improved.
Further information and advice will be available at Heart Failure Awareness Information Day, May 4th, 9pm -1pm, in the main foyer, Nenagh hospital. All welcome.