Caregiver Information for End Stage Heart Failure
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The Facts
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End-stage heart failure is also known as Class IV heart failure. The condition often develops slowly and progresses until the patient can no longer participate in their normal, everyday activities. There are several conditions that can cause heart failure, such as: heart attack, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, faulty heart valves, myocarditis, damage to the heart muscle, congenital heart defects, heart arrhythmias, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, lupus, emphysema, amyloidosis, hemochromatosis and severe anemia.
Your Role as a Caregiver
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It is important to understand your role as a caregiver for an end-stage heart failure patient. You need be there for all of the patient's needs, whether they're emotional or physical. You will be giving her the medications that she needs, possibly helping her with showers and grooming, running errands for her, preparing her food, taking her to doctor's visits, and doing many other tasks that may seem small to you, but probably mean a lot to her.
Understanding the Symptoms
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Understanding the symptoms of end-stage heart failure is crucial to your role as a caregiver. There are many symptoms that you need to be on the lookout for, including: rapid or irregular heartbeat, fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, inability to exercise, swelling in the legs, feet and ankles, persistent cough, wheezing, swelling in the abdomen, fluid retention, decreased alertness, lack of appetite and nausea. Although it may be impossible to treat all the symptoms, it is important for you to make the patient as comfortable as possible.
Diet
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Since you will be preparing the patient's meals, you need to know the components of a heart-healthy diet. Limit the patient's intake of salt, cholesterol, trans fat, saturated fat and sugar. Make sure you give him a well balanced meal with low-fat protein and five servings of fruits and vegetables. You should avoid giving the patient alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine, as they can aggravate the patient's condition.
Discuss End-of-Life Conditions
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Discussing end-of-life issues is never an easy thing. It is especially tough if the patient you are caring for happens to be a loved one. When it comes to end-of-life issues, you have to be business minded. As hard as it is, don't let emotions get in the way of things that need to be accomplished. You need to know the patient's wishes should he become sicker and possibly have to face life support. This is also something that should be discussed thoroughly with the patient's doctor. Make sure his will is completed and ask about his preferences when it comes to burial or cremation.
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