The Evelyn L.

Spiro School of Nursing at Wagner College

HEAR
T What is it?
FAILU
The inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood to meet the
RE
needs of the tissues
for oxygen and nutrients.
Two Types; Left and Right.

Causes
Some cases are reversible. The term heart failure indicates
myocardial disease, in which there is a problem with contraction
of the heart (systolic failure) of filling of the heart (diastolic
failure).

Risk Factors
Hypertension/ Coronary artery disease/Renal insufficiency and
falure/ Heart Attack

Symptoms
A syndrome characterized by fluid overload or inadequate tissue
perfusion

Treatment
Most heart failure is a progressive, lifelong disorder managed with
lifestyle changes and medication:
Promoting activity and reducing fatigue
Relieving fluid overload symptoms
Decreasing anxiety or increasing the patients ability to
manage anxiety
Teaching the patient about the self-care program: no smoking,
no alcohol consumption
Maintance of sodium restriction.

Source: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartFailure/HeartFailure_UCM_002019_SubHomePage.jsp