congestive heart
Diseases Process
SN instructed patient and caregiver about edema can be a cause of serious underlying medical conditions such as: congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, kidney disease, kidney damage, weakness or damage to veins in your legs, inadequate lymphatic system, severe, long-term protein deficiency.
SN instructed patient and caregiver that dysrhythmias of the heart and myocardial infarction may constitute as potential complications of Angina Pectoris. Cardiac arrhythmia occurs when electrical impulses in the heart do not work properly. A heart attack usually occurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the heart. Angina is a symptom of coronary artery disease. Patient verbalized understanding.
SN instructed patient on high blood pressure. The high blood pressure is a common condition and when not treated, can cause damage to the brain, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other parts of the body. Damage to these organs may cause heart disease, a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision, and other problems. In addition to taking medication, making lifestyle changes will also help to control your blood pressure. These changes include eating a diet that is low in fat and salt, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising at least 30 minutes most days, not smoking, and using alcohol in moderation.
SN instructed patient on atherosclerotic heart disease also known as Coronary Artery Disease (CAD); is the damage or disease in the heart's major blood vessels. The usual cause is the buildup of plaque. This causes coronary arteries to narrow, limiting blood flow to the heart. Coronary artery disease can range from no symptoms, to chest pain, to a heart attack. Treatments include lifestyle changes, medications, angioplasty, and surgery.
Patient was instructed on complications of diabetes such as heart disease. People with diabetes have extra reason to be mindful of heart and blood vessel disease. Diabetes carries an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and complications related to poor circulation.
Patient was instructed on diabetes symptoms. People with diabetes also are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease caused by atherosclerosis (thickening and hardening of the artery). Atherosclerosis can involve the heart (coronary heart disease), with symptoms of chest pain or heart attack. Brain (cerebrovascular disease), causing stroke. Arteries supplying the legs (peripheral vascular disease), causing leg pain while walking or exercising that stops quickly with rest.
SN explained that the problems with the veins in the legs may lead to chronic venous insufficiency ( CVI ). CVI means that there is a long-term problem with the veins not being able to pump blood back to your heart. When this happens, blood stays in the legs and causes swelling and aching. Two problems that may lead to chronic venous insufficiency are: Damaged valves. Valves keep blood flowing from the legs through the blood vessels and back to the heart. When the valves are damaged, blood does not flow as well. Deep vein thrombosis ( DVT ). Blood clots may form in the deep veins of the legs. This may cause pain, redness, and swelling in the legs. It may also block the flow of blood back to the heart. Seek immediate medical care if you have these symptoms. A blood clot in the leg can also break off and travel to the lungs. This is called pulmonary embolism ( PE ). In the lungs, the clot can cut off the flow of blood. This may cause chest pain, trouble breathing, sweating, a fast heartbeat, coughing (may cough up blood), and fainting. It is a medical emergency and may cause death. Call 911 if you have these symptoms. Healthcare providers call the two conditions,Deep vein thrombosis ( DVT ) and pulmonary embolism ( PE ), venous thromboembolism ( VTE ).
Patient was instructed on HTN and how it affects the heart and it's function. Over time HTN if uncontrolled can damage the vessels of the heart, leaving it unable to pump blood efficiently. This causes what is known as heart failure. Symptoms you may experience and should report to your MD are swelling in your feet or hands, crackles in your chest when breathing, increased shortness of breath.
SN instructed on arteriosclerosis is hardening and thickening of the walls of the arteries. This condition can occur because of fatty deposits on the inner lining of arteries (atherosclerosis), calcification of the wall of the arteries, or thickening of the muscular wall of the arteries from chronically elevated blood pressure. When arteriosclerosis affects the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, a shortage of oxygen delivered to the heart itself may lead to a heart attack.
SN explained that long standing hypertension leads to heart damage that is called heart failure. This means your heart "fails" to pump your blood to your body effectively. You may notice swelling in your extremities, that you are easily fatigued with normal activity, and weight gain. Any of these symptoms or worsening of them should be reported to SN or MD.