CARDIAC NURSE TIPS: HEART FAILURE 101❤️🩹
There are so many misconceptions about heart failure in the nursing field that nursing school doesn’t teach you.
When I worked inpatient, I didn't realize that there were treatments used to actually remodel the heart and improve the ejection fraction. I didn't realize that lasix wasn't the only medication for heart failure, and in fact, that is only for symptom control! There are so many different types of heart failure that require different treatments, and it is a very complex disease. There is nothing more satisfying than see someone with heart failure get better and back to their baseline.
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Heart failure (HF) is a complex condition frequently misunderstood in the nursing field. It's critical for nurses to understand the different types, including left-sided (causing orthopnea and dyspnea) and right-sided heart failure (leading to fluid retention issues). Systolic heart failure indicates the heart's inability to pump effectively, often resulting in reduced ejection fraction; common causes include past myocardial infarctions and chronic hypertension. Conversely, diastolic heart failure results from the heart's stiff nature, leading to inadequate filling, with normal ejection fraction. Conditions such as cardiac amyloidosis may contribute to this form of heart failure. Understanding these nuances not only helps in practical nursing but also enhances patient care. It's rewarding to witness patients improve and return to their baseline function with appropriate treatment strategies.
