|
Heart failure occurs when
the heart muscle is weak and has trouble pumping blood through the body. When
this happens, fluid collects in the lungs or other parts of the body. The
fluid can cause congestion, making it difficult to breath. People with
heart failure may also have swelling in the hands, legs, feet and abdomen. Heart
failure affects about 5 million people in the United States and is the leading
cause for hospital admissions for people age 65 and older. More than
550,000 people are newly diagnosed with heart failure each year. Twenty
to 30 percent of patients diagnosed with heart failure die within the first
year and 66 percent die within five years. The estimated cost of heart failure
care in the U.S. for 2005 is $27.9 billion.*
Discharge Instructions
- Educating
heart failure patients and their families is an important aspect
of care. A written list of instructions and medications
can help patients take control of their care. Following
the treatment plan can help patients feel better, prevent heart
failure from getting worse, and help them live longer.
- This
chart represents the percentage of hospitalized heart failure
patients who received written instructions on activity, diet,
follow-up care, medications, symptoms and weight monitoring.
- View the
St. John's Mercy Discharge Instructions and Medication
Instructions.
|
Smoking Cessation Advice and Counseling
- More than
430,000 Americans die each year from smoking. Smoking
causes illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, problems
with pregnancy and lung disease.
- This
chart illustrates the percentage of hospitalized heart failure
patients who received advice on quitting smoking.
- View
the St. John's Mercy Smoking Cessation brochure. (PDF)
|
Left
Ventricular (LV) Function Assessment
- Left ventricular
function assessment
is the single most important diagnostic test for patients with
heart failure. This
information helps the health care team make decisions on treatment
and choice of medications.
- This
chart shows the percentage of hospitalized heart failure patients
who had documentation of left ventricular function.
|
ACEI (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor) or ARB (angiotensin
receptor blocker) for Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (LVSD)
- Research
has shown that treatment with these medications can help people live
longer and decrease hospitalizations. They can also
decrease the symptoms of heart failure and increase the ability to
be more active.
- This
chart represents the number of hospitalized heart failure patients
who were discharged on one of these medications.
|
*Source:
American College of Cardiology / American Heart Association 2005 Guideline for
the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Heart Failure in the Adult.
Heart Failure
Society of America
American Lung Association
|
