is a condition that impacts how much blood leaves the heart to perfuse the organs. Due to this poor ejection, blood that is going back to the heart by means of veins backs up, causing congestion in body tissues that can lead to swelling and edema in other body parts, including the lungs. Due to the building of fluids in the lungs, respiratory signs and symptoms can be seen such as shortness of breath. Lower perfusion, causes a decrease in renal perfusion thus leading to kidney problems. Coronary artery disease, heart attacks, high blood pressure, heart valve disease, myocarditis, and arrhythmias are some causes of CHF (Vuckovic, et al., 2020). Primary prevention and health promotion play an essential part in preventing CHF. A well-balanced diet, regular exercise, originating an active lifestyle, avoiding smoking, consuming less alcohol, losing weight, engaging in stress-relieving exercises, implementing stress management techniques, maintenance of healthy weight, and taking medications as prescribed can all help in the prevention of heart failure (Vuckovic, et al., 2020). Patients may find it challenging to adapt after receiving a heart failure diagnosis, but it is possible to manage the symptoms and lead a full life. Patients with CHF will be advised to follow their medication plan strictly. Patients must be educated on making lifestyle changes such as avoiding smoking, assessing their extremities for swelling, weighing themselves daily, weight management, consuming a healthy diet, decreasing salt intake, following fluid intake restrictions, limiting their consumption of alcohol, moderate exercise, decreasing stress through following stress management techniques, and promotion of better sleep (Jaarsma et al., 2021). These educational points must be educated to patients with CHF.
References:
Jaarsma, T., Hill, L., Bayes-Genis, A., La Rocca, H.-P.B., Castiello, T., Čelutkienė, J., Marques-Sule, E., Plymen, C.M., Piper, S.E., Riegel, B., Rutten, F.H., Ben Gal, T., Bauersachs, J., Coats, A.J.S., Chioncel, O., Lopatin, Y., Lund, L.H., Lainscak, M., Moura, B., Mullens, W., Piepoli, M.F., Rosano, G., Seferovic, P. and Strömberg, A. (2021). Self-care of heart failure patients: Practical management recommendations from the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology. Eur J Heart Fail, 23: 157-174. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejhf.2008