Heart failure
Complications and Risks that could lead to heart failure:
● HTN
● High cholesterol
● Diabetes
● HTN + high Cholesterol = increased risk for heart attack (decreased blood flow and
oxygen) at risk for ischemia (prolonged ischemia can lead to tissue necrosis)
o Nitroglycerin (vasodilator) [for suspected patients have a heart attack- chest pain]
▪ Going to dilate ALL vessels
▪ At risk for hypotension (orthostatic hypotension)
● Educate patient!!
o If nitro doesn’t work, going to get a heart catheter surgically
▪ Patient at risk for bleeding
▪ Make sure patient’s BP is lower before surgery
Risks:
● Pneumonia
● Renal failure
● Coronary artery disease
o Peripheral arterial disease
Right-sided heart failure (BP/HR)
● JVD
● Edema
● Ascites (SOB)
● fatigue
● Decreased urinary output
o Daily weights**
▪ Same time of day (in morning), consistent, same amount of clothes, nude
preferred
▪ If patient is continuing to gain weight, they need to call their doctor
o I&O
Left-sided heart failure (lung/lung space)
● Fatigue
● SOB
o Crackles in the lungs (fluid)
o Auscultate lungs
▪ Have patient cough and deep breathe