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Heart Failure: Preparing for Discharge
Heart Failure: Preparing for DischargeWhen you are ready to be discharged from the hospital make sure you understand all the steps you need totake to manage your heart failure at home.Before you leave the hospital, a member of your healthcare team will meet with you to go over your dischargeinformation.Your healthcare team will give you a written copy of these instructions.This is the information you need right now to begin managing your heart failure. It will also include the name ofthe person you should contact if you have questions, and what to do in case of an emergency.It will help to have a family member or friend with you to help remember the information and help ask anyquestions you still have.While your instructions will be specific to you, there are general guidelines that everyone should follow.Discharge instructions include: your follow-up appointment information; monitoring your symptoms; yourmedications; nutrition goals, particularly sodium guidelines; smoking cessation information, if necessary;physical activity guidelines; and what to do if your symptoms get worse.Have a follow-up appointment scheduled before you leave the hospital. Make sure you know the date, time,and location of the appointment.Watch for any changes in your symptoms, so you can get help.Symptoms of worsening heart failure include: sudden weight gain, especially a gain of 2 or more pounds in a24-hour period; increase in edema or swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, or waist; increase in shortness ofbreath; a new cough; worsening fatigue; increased heart rate; and increased thirst.If any of your symptoms increase, or you notice any new symptoms, add them to your log and let yourhealthcare provider know immediately.Your healthcare provider will also go over any medications you have been prescribed,These may be different from the medications you were taking before you were admitted to the hospital.You will most likely be prescribed several medications.Make sure you know what you will be taking and understand what each is for.Your discharge instructions will also include your nutrition goals, particularly your daily sodium and fluid intakeguidelines.The American Heart Association recommends limiting your total sodium to about 1,500 mg a day. Yourhealthcare team will discuss with you the amount of sodium you are allowed per day.Talk to your healthcare provider for ideas on changes you can make in your diet to meet this goal.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCHA10169B EN HeartFailurePreparingForDischarge.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 2Heart Failure: Preparing for DischargeIf you smoke, you MUST quit. If you continue to use tobacco, you are at a greater risk for heart attack, stroke,and further heart damage.And smoking damages your lungs, which can make your symptoms of heart failure, like shortness of breathand fatigue, worse.If you haven’t already done so, schedule a meeting with your healthcare provider to go over ways to quitsmoking.Your discharge instructions will also include physical activity guidelines.Staying active is one of the best things you can do for your heart health. And this is still true when you haveheart failure.Your healthcare provider may recommend you attend cardiac rehabilitation to help get you active andstrengthen your heart.This is also a good time to ask about support groups. Many hospitals have support groups for heart failurepatients, and there are also online groups.You can join the American Heart Association’s Support Network at supportnetwork.heart.org.Support groups can be an important part of your heart failure care.You are ready to leave the hospital and go home. Follow your discharge instructions carefully every day inorder to manage your heart failure, control your symptoms and avoid a return trip to the hospital.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCHA10169B EN HeartFailurePreparingForDischarge.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 2 of 2
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