Take care of patients with end-stage heart failure to avoid fatigue and shortness of breath

The article was professionally consulted by Dr. Nguyen Quoc Viet - Cardiologist and Cardiac Interventionist, Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.

For patients with end-stage heart failure, care plays a very important role. Heart failure is a chronic disease, treatment of heart failure is a long-term process. The outcome of treatment depends a lot on good coordination between medical staff, patient and family.

Heart failure is a clinical syndrome caused by structural or functional abnormalities of the heart, resulting in decreased cardiac output and/or increased intracardiac pressure at rest or exertion. Therefore, treating heart failure can slow the progression of heart failure, reduce symptoms of heart failure, but cannot cure heart failure.
The treatment goals of heart failure include:
Cardiac rehabilitation to improve quality of life, increase physical activity and slow the progression of the disease Cardiac rehabilitation is a comprehensive solution, need good cooperation of patient - medical staff - family. Including: Proper nutrition, exercise regimen, stress reduction and adherence to treatment. In addition, patients need to be consulted about their cardiovascular disease knowledge and can self-monitor some abnormal symptoms.

2.1 With a heart failure diet Eat enough nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Stop smoking and alcohol-containing foods such as wine and beer. Salt restriction, especially in severe heart failure, is usually limited to <2g salt per day. Therefore, heart failure patients should avoid processed foods, canned foods or fast foods. Get in the habit of reading the sodium (sodium) content listed on the ingredients in prepackaged foods. The amount of water to drink is calculated according to the needs of the patient and the degree of heart failure. Avoid infusions unless directed by your doctor. If the patient has a lot of edema, it is necessary to limit the amount of water in the body and eat completely bland. Process food in a soft, mushy form. Do not eat fermented foods such as cabbage, vegetables, beans, pickles. Meals must be far from bedtime, after eating need to rest for 30-40 minutes. For heart failure patients using anticoagulants: Limit the intake of green leafy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, peas, green beans, radishes, parsley and lettuce. ... 2.2 Physical activity for patients with heart failure Set a goal of moderate exercise, not too much. When starting out, you need to practice lightly, gradually increasing the intensity. If you feel tired immediately after or the next day, reduce the intensity of your workout. Avoid strenuous activities such as jogging, lifting weights, avoid exercises that stretch, stretch, and contract continuously. If you stop exercising for a few days (due to a cold, busy work, bad weather, ...), when you practice again, you need to exercise lighter than usual, gradually increasing the intensity to the previous level in the following training sessions. Avoid exercising outdoors when the weather is too hot, too cold, or wet: High humidity makes you tired, too hot or too cold temperatures affect the circulatory system, causing shortness of breath, chest pain. Drink enough water: Drink water even if you are not thirsty, especially on hot days.

2.3 Treatment compliance for patients with end-stage heart failure For decades now, studies have shown that many heart failure medications not only improve symptoms but can help prolong life and reduce mortality. What is important is the patient's adherence to treatment.
Heart failure is a chronic disease, so daily drug treatment is necessary, even if the patient feels well, has no symptoms. Never stop taking or change the dose or take any other medication without consulting your doctor.
The very understanding of the disease is one of the simplest ways, a measure of "non-drug treatment", but can help patients improve their quality of life.
Vinmec International General Hospital offers customers a heart failure examination package with the benefits of visiting a Cardiologist, performing a total blood cell analysis by automatic counter, Electrocardiogram, Echocardiogram. , transthoracic pericardium, Straight chest X-ray, Stress echocardiography,...helps in timely screening and treatment.