Congestive heart failure (CHF) affects approximately 6.2 million people in the US and is the leading cause of hospitalization among adults. Aside from its negative influence on the quality of life, CHF can also cause strain on finances and productivity. Helping a loved one with congestive heart failure can be incredibly stressful and daunting, especially if you’re caring for them outside the hospital.
So how can caring for patients with CHF at home be safe and effective? Through the use of remote patient monitoring (RPM), caretakers such as the Cardiology Consultant in Texas can accurately monitor a patient’s condition, remain in constant communication with their physician, and receive regular feedback on what they should do for the patient. All this can be done by the Cardiology Consultant in Texas while the patient is comfortable in their own home.
Managing Congestive Heart Failure at Home
Congestive heart failure is a chronic condition which occurs when the heart doesn’t pump enough blood and oxygen to support other organs in the body. Although it’s a serious condition — and sounds scary — it doesn’t mean that your heart has already stopped beating. It simply means your heart isn’t strong enough to pump blood throughout the body or can’t fill up with enough blood.
When the circulatory system is compromised, the tissues of the body congest. Some symptoms of CHF include trouble breathing when lying down, persistent coughing or wheezing, shortness of breath, lack of appetite, nausea, or fluid build-up — which causes swelling in the lower extremities, abdomen, or lungs.
Because congestive heart failure requires plenty of attention, family or caretakers may be overwhelmed with home healthcare. Every Congestive Heart Failure Consultants in Texas or any other place will stress that checking vital signs is crucial. Vital signs, including weight and blood pressure, need daily checking. Certain lifestyle changes such as a low-sodium diet, regular exercises, and a strictly balanced fluid intake are necessary to maintain the health of the patient.
Caregivers should also be on top of managing medication and watching out for signs of recurring arrhythmia. If a patient is experiencing any symptoms like dizziness, leg swelling, or chest discomfort, it should be brought to the physician’s attention immediately. In particular, it should be brought to the immediate attention of a Congestive Heart Failure Consultants in Texas.
Take Control of Your Health with Texas TeleHealth
Staying in close communication with the patient’s doctor is crucial; remote patient monitoring devices set up at home can help keep the patient safe and allow physicians to monitor their daily progress. They can check on blood pressure, track weight changes, monitor heart rate, and check for fluid retention. Some devices even allow you to call a nurse to report any changes in the patient’s condition so they can direct you if urgent care is necessary.
Overall, remote physiologic monitoring services are shown to greatly improve patient outcomes. Through our best-in-class products and services, we guarantee you and your loved one will get the care and attention you need.
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FAQ’s
What is congestive heart failure?
Congestive heart failure is known as heart failure and is caused by the inability of the heart to pump blood effectively. Despite such a serious name, heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped working or is going to stop working.
What are the 4 stages of congestive heart failure?
The first stage is known as pre-heart failure and it means that you are at risk of developing heart failure. The second stage is also known as pre-heart and its means that you have been given a diagnosis of left ventricular dysfunction by your doctor. The third stage is known as heart failure and it means that you have given a diagnosis, and are showing symptoms. The fourth stage is known as HF-rEF and in this stage, you are unaffected by the treatment it’s the final stage
What causes congestive heart failure?
The main cause of Congestive heart failure is coronary artery disease and risk factors include high cholesterol or triglyceride levels in the blood, and high blood pressure.
How long can you live with congestive heart failure?
About 50% of all people diagnosed with Congestive heart failure will live for 5 years, and 30% of people will live for 10 years. On the other hand, with heart transplants, 21% of people stay alive 20 years later.
What are the symptoms of congestive heart failure?
The early symptoms of CHF will go more or less unnoticed, but moving forwards you will gradually experience changes in your health. The symptoms you will experience in the beginning — fatigue, swelling in your ankles, feet, and legs, weight gain, and an increased need to urinate. The symptoms you will experience when your condition will worsen — irregular heartbeat, a cough that develops from congested lungs, wheezing, and shortness of breath. The symptoms you will experience when the condition will get severe — chest pain in your upper body, rapid breathing, blueish skin due to less oxygen in your lungs, and fainting.
What is the treatment for congestive heart failure?
Treatment involves a combination of medications and depending on your condition you will be taking more than one medication. Commonly used medication consists of — peacemaker, surgery, ACE inhibitors, medicine, and lifestyle changes.
