MedTap: Monitoring your heart failure symptoms
MedTap: Monitoring your heart failure symptoms
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4.16 -> When the heart is struggling to pump effectively,
fluid can build up around the body particularly
9.12 -> around the stomach and your medications may no
longer be effective. You may need to be admitted
14.56 -> to hospital to remove the excess fluid with
medications given intravenously (via a drip).
21.04 -> To try to prevent it from happening it is
essential that you monitor your symptoms daily
25.76 -> to identify when the heart is struggling.
Breathing: is your breathing the same as usual
32.96 -> or are you feeling more short of breath? Can you
lie down flat without feeling short of breath
38.72 -> or has this changed? Do you frequently wake
up at night gasping for breath?
46.8 -> Swelling: check your feet, ankles, legs and stomach.
Can you notice any increased swelling?
53.36 -> Weight: check your weight daily at the same time
each day. Compare this weight to the previous day.
59.92 -> Has this changed? If you have put on 1.5 to
2 kilograms or 3 to 4 pounds in a couple of
67.76 -> days this is likely a build-up of excess fluid in
the body. Activity :do you feel as active as usual?
76.88 -> How are your energy levels? It's important to
balance activity and rest and know your limits.
84.96 -> If you notice your heart failure symptoms
worsening over a couple of days please contact
90.08 -> your heart failure team or GP. They may be able to
adjust your medications to prevent you coming into
96 -> hospital. For some patients it may be possible
to adjust your water tablets yourself from home.
103.28 -> To do this you must be able to weigh yourself
daily and take your medications unaided. If you
110 -> think this is something you can manage please
discuss this with your heart failure team.
115.36 -> If you experience any of the following you
must seek immediate medical assistance and
120 -> call an ambulance: shortness of breath
that does not resolve when sitting still,
126.24 -> struggling to breathe, chest
pain that is not going away.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryD-dLXeYQs