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| The nation's #1 heart program by U.S. News & World Report for 13 years in a row! |
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Live Web Chat Transcript : Linda Kelly, APRN, BC, MSN |
Cleveland_Clinic_Host: Thank you for joining us! Cleveland_Clinic_Host: Welcome Linda, we are happy to have you hear today to answer questions about heart failure Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_RN: I am happy to be here. Thank you for inviting me. What is Heart Failure? kovacsv: My friend James has congestive heart failure - what is that? Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_RN: Heart failure is a syndrome of an underlying condition. When one has heart failure it means that they have a weak heart muscle. Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_RN: Heart failure can be a result of many different insults to the heart. For example, when someone has a heart attack, part of their heart muscle dies. That is an insult to the heart. The insult then causes the heart to be weak. Another example is when certain chemotherapy agents are used to treat various types of cancer. The toxins can damage the heart - cause an insult - resulting in heart failure. Heart Failure – Stay Healthy momof2: I was just diagnosed with heart failure. I have a 5 year old and 7 year old and I am scared. My doctor told me everything I need to avoid - but are there things I can do to feel more energy and feel better. I need to be there for my kids. Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_CNP: My best advice would be make sure you have a good night's sleep, eat healthy, try to avoid stressful situations, if you smoke - quit. Avoid alcohol. Ask your doctor what type of exercise is best for you. Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_CNP: Take home message - take care of yourself. tombear: I have heard people get the flu from a flu shot - should I get a flu shot every year or avoid it? Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_CNP: You should get a yearly flu shot - unless allergic to it. Heart Failure and Diet bob: Do all people with heart failure have to watch how much they drink? How much should you drink in a day? Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_CNP: Not all patients with heart failure need to be on a fluid restriction. Your health care provider will let you know if you should follow a fluid restriction. Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_CNP: If you are on a fluid restriction, the general rule is not to exceed 64 ounces in a day. Keep in mind this includes all fluids such as soups, jello, ice cream, ice chips, watermelon - anything that is liquid. Many people think of fluid restriction as applying to water only - but it is all fluids. tim: Can you have wine if you have heart failure? Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_CNP: When one has heart failure, they are advised to avoid alcohol. The reason being that when alcohol is broken down in our bodies, it is broken down into toxins that can further harm a weak heart. One cause of heart failure is excessive alcohol intake. Alcohol in moderation is tolerated in healthy hearts - but not advisable for weaker hearts. jd: If I have to watch my sodium - do you know any good snack foods? Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_RN: The recommended daily allowance of sodium intake - salt - is no more than 2000 mg. By paying attention to the labels on food you can tabulate your mg. of sodium intake. Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_RN: Foods high in salt tend to be processed, canned goods. Fresh foods are lower in salt. A good snack would be fresh rather than boxed or canned goods. Check out our website for specific listings. Heart Failure and Exercise karenk: Do you know anything about exercise and heart failure. Is it ok to exercise? How much is too much - can you do damage to your heart? Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_CNP: Exercise is good for patients with heart failure. Your body will let you know what you can and cannot do. You just need to listen. Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_CNP: We encourage our patients to be as active as possible. Moderate aerobic activity at least 4 times a week is beneficial to the heart failure patient. If you start to feel short of breath, fatigued, lightheaded, have palpitations (feel your heart race), or start to experience chest pain - STOP exercising. This is your body telling you that you have overdone it. Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_CNP: You should not lift, push or pull anything greater than 25 pounds. If you have a history of coronary artery disease, consult your health care provider before starting any type of exercise regimen. Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_CNP: Avoid temperature extremes, hot humid or cold weather - as weather extremes can make you short of breath. Do not shovel snow. Heart Failure Symptoms: Swelling, Weight Gain, Shortness of Breath kjf52: I have heart failure. They said to look for swelling in my hands and feet. Lately I feel like I am bloated or my abdomen is swollen. Can that also be a sign of heart failure? Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_CNP: Yes. Swelling in some people occurs in your legs - others their belly. Generally if you notice that your pants are suddenly tight, or you are unable to button them, its from fluid. Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_CNP: Also when one has swelling in their belly, they may feel bloated or become prematurely full when they eat. kovacsv: How do you combat weight gain with heart failure? Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_CNP: The first step would be to determine if it is water weight or weight gain related to fat. When one rapidly gains weight, that is usually fluid. A gradual weight gain from overeating and inactivity. Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_CNP: A general rule of thumb is that if you gain 3 pounds over night or 5 pounds in a week it is most likely fluid. However, one must weight themselves properly, meaning, you need to weigh yourself first thing in the morning, before you eat anything, after you go to the bathroom with the same amount of clothing on - using the same scale - to get an accurate weight. Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_CNP: Keeping daily records of your weight will help you be able to determine what type of weight gain you have. When in doubt, call your health care provider. you2: Sometimes I wake up short of breath? Do I need to call my doctor or is there something I can do to stop this? Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_CNP: Yes - I would advise calling your doctor. Waking up short of breath can be a sign of fluid overload or you may need to be tested for sleep apnea. What is a Heart Failure Management Program? dannyboy: What is a heart failure management program? My aunt has heart failure and I am worried she is not getting good follow-up? Would that help? Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_CNP: Heart failure disease management programs vary within institutions. In general, they are geared towards offering easy access, education, and close follow-up care. Programs can be in an out patient clinic; telemonitoring systems; or phone call based - or all of the above. Heart failure disease management programs have been proven to be beneficial for patients with heart failure. Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_CNP: At the Cleveland Clinic, our heart failure disease management program is run by advanced practice nurses. It is an outpatient program that provides evidence based care to patients. We offer the patients easy access to our clinic. We provide education on pharmaceutical as well as self care practices recommended for the heart failure patient. Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_CNP: We also offer remote monitoring for patients with certain types of devices. We have home health care nurses that visit home bound patients. These nurses not only assess patients but also educate them on healthy self care practices. Heart Failure and Medications hfworrier: What is Coreg? Are there side effects? Is it ok to take generic? Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_CNP: Coreg or carvedilol is a type of drug called beta blocker. It is one of the evidence based medications used for heart failure patients. This medication actually can improve your heart muscle and slows the progression of the condition. When one is on a beta blocker it is very important not to abruptly stop this medication. Generic coreg is fine to take and cheaper. Heart Failure and BNP ronnie-g: My doctor wants me to have a blood test called BNP. Do you know what score he is looking for? Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_CNP: There are two types of BNP tests and patient's results can be individualized. Therefore, ask your doctor what he is looking for. Heart Failure and Heart Rate jan: I have heart failure. My heart rate seems to be racing sometimes. I check it and it is usually in the 120's. Is that ok? Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_CNP: A heart rate of 120 sounds high. I would advise contacting your health care provider for further evaluation. When should you go to the Emergency Room if you have Heart Failure? hfworrier: When should you go to the emergency room? Speaker_-_Linda_Kelly_CNP: You should go to the emergency room if you have
More information:
Technology for web chats paid in part by an educational grant from AT&T Ohio and the AT&T Foundation (formerly SBC). © Copyright 2008 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved 4/08 |
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