Heart Failure Flashcards
heart failure
complex clinical syndrome resulting in insufficient blood supply/oxygen to tissues and organs
decreased cardiac output results in
decreased tissue perfusion which decreases ejection fraction
primary risk factor for heart failure
hypertension (can be reduced by 50% if aggressively treated)
etiology of heart failure
any interference with mechanisms regulating cardiac output
primary causes of heart failure
conditions that directly damage the heart
precipitating causes of heart failure
conditions that increase the work load of the heart
possible conditions that increase work load of the heart
MI, valve damage, viral infection, cardiomyopathy
classification of left sided heart failure
results from inability of left ventricle to empty adequately during systole (working) or fill adequately during diastole (relaxing); bloods back up into left atrium
what occurs from left sided heart failure
increase in pulmonary hydrostatic pressure causing fluid leakage from the pulmonary bed into the interstitium and then the alveoli. this results in pulmonary congestion and edema
clinicial manifestations of left sided heart failure
decreased cardiac output and pulmonary edema
decreased cardiac output s/s
fatigue, weakness; oliguria during the day (nocturia at night); angina, confusion, restlessness; dizziness, tachycardia, palpitations; pallor, weak peripheral pulses, cool extremities
pulmonary congestion s/s
hacking cough, worse at night; dyspnea/breathlessness; crackles or wheezing in lungs; frothy, pink-tinged sputum, tachypnea
right-sided heart failure
right ventricle doesn’t pump effectively; this causes fluid to back up into the venous system which moves into the tissues and organs
clinical manifestations of right-sided heart failure
systemic congestion
systemic congestion s/s
jugular vein distention; enlarged liver and spleen; anorexia and nausea; dependent edema (legs and sacrum); distended abdomen; swollen hands and fingers; polyuria at night; weight gain
what is special about blood pressure r/t systemic congestion
increased is from excess volume; decreased is from failure
chronic heart failure clinical manifestations
fatigue, dyspnea, orthopnea, nocturnal dyspnea; cough, tachycardia, palpitations, edema; changes in urine output; nocturia, skin changes; neurological manifestations; mental status, behavior changes, and sleep problems; chest pain; weight changes
diagnostic studies of heart failure
determine and treat underlying cause; echocardiogram; BNP levels; ECG, ambulatory heart monitors, MRI, cardiac catheterization, angiogram
what does an echocardiogram show
provides information on left ventricle ejection fraction, heart value, presence of effusion or thrombus
interprofessional care for heart failure
continuous monitoring and assessment; high-fowler’s position; hemodynamic monitoring if unstable; supplemental O2, BiPaP; mechanical ventilation if unstable; mechanical cardiac assist devices for patients with deteriorating heart failure; oxygen therapy; physical and emotional rest; structured exercise program; drug therapy
mechanical cardiac assist devices
intraortic balloon pump (IABP) and ventricular assist devices (VADs)
what does oxygen therapy help with heart failure
relieves dyspnea and fatigue
what is important about physical and emotional rest for heart failure
conserve energy and decrease oxygen needs; dependent on severity of heart failure
nutritional therapy for heart failure
low sodium diet; fluid restriction for stage D heart failure; daily weights
