catheter-teaching-guide
Cardiac
Instructed patient t other S/S of cardiac complications requiring medical intervention such as: increased SOB, palpitations, irregular heart beat, faintness, and weakness. Replace butter and margarine with heart-healthy oils such as olive oil and canola oil. Other heart-healthy foods include walnuts, fatty fish like salmon and tuna, whole-grain breads, low-fat dairy products, beans, and lean meats. Ask your caregiver how much salt you can eat each day. Avoid salt substitutes.
Instructed patient Eat a heart-healthy diet Eating a healthy diet can reduce your risk of heart disease. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help protect your heart. Beans, other low-fat sources of protein and certain types of fish also can reduce your risk of heart disease. Stop your activity if you feel short of breath, dizzy, or have any pain in your chest. Do not do any activity or exercise that causes pulling or pain across your chest, (such as using a rowing machine, twisting, or lifting weights.
Instructed patient what lifestyle choices can help me feel my best: Stay active. If you are not active, your symptoms are likely to worsen quickly. Walking, and other types of physical activity help maintain your strength and improve your mood. Physical activity also helps you manage your weight. Eat heart-healthy foods and limit sodium (salt An easy way to do this is to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and fewer canned and processed foods.
A cardiac diet, as the name suggests, is often prescribed for patients who have a history of heart related problems / diseases. The cardiac diet is a healthy eating plan prepared to counter diseases such as high blood pressure, obesity, heart attack and so on. Even if a person does not suffer from a heart condition it is advisable to follow this diet as a preventive measure. Some Basic Facts about the Cardiac Diet The following are some basic facts that determine the cardiac diet. Consumption of Foods that Contain Healthy Fats Healthy Fats. Two types of fat that can be beneficial for the body are polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats. Polyunsaturated fats are found in foods such as: leafy green vegetables nuts seeds fish Monounsaturated fats are said to decrease the levels of LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol in the body. They are found in foods such as: Milk products avocado olives nuts Unhealthy Fats: One should avoid the consumption of trans fat and saturated fats. Trans fat increase the level of bad cholesterol in the body. They are often found in: packaged food items that are fried in some of the foods sold in fast food restaurants Although they help to increase the shelf life of a product they are very harmful for the body. Saturated fats are found in foods such as: cream cheese butter ghee coconut oil
Instructed patient and caregiver what not do with her LVAD. Kink, bend or pull your driveline, disconnect the driveline from the controller (under normal circumstances), Sleep on your stomach, Take a bath or swim, Play contact sports, Have an MRI (CT Scans or X-Rays are OK), Attempt to repair LVAD equipment yourself, Leave the house without backup equipment. understanding was verbalized.
Instructed patient that when traveling with an LVAD will involve some extra planning and preparation.When scheduling a trip, discuss your plans ahead of time with your LVAD team. They‘ll help you be as independent as possible, and still stay safe and healthy. They can also provide you with the necessary travel documents, as well as helpful tips. Understanding was verbalized.
Instructed patient her LVAD team will give you detailed instructions on what you need to do on a daily basis for your specific device and medical condition. They will also most likely give you a chart (sometimes called a “flowsheet”) customized for your specific device, to fill out daily. Flowsheets make it easy to keep track of your weight, medications, device settings (such as pump speed, power, etc.) and other daily maintenance items. Sample flowsheets are included at the bottom of the page (they vary slightly based on manufacturer). It is a sample only; use the flowsheet provided by your LVAD team. Understanding was verbalized.
Instructed patient that for healthy living with your LVAD, you’ll need to make sure that: the equipment is working properly,you have sufficient power sources at all times, your driveline exit site is clean and dry, following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, as you’re able to tolerate it, are taking your medications and supplements as directed by your doctor. Understanding was verbalized.
Instructed patient that certain medications you might be taking, including Coumadin (Warfarin Sodium Tablets), also require special nutritional precautions. Your doctor or LVAD coordinator can provide you with detailed nutritional guidelines for your particular situation. Understanding was verbalized.
Instructed patient that it is not uncommon to experience significant stress, anxiety or depression when receiving your LVAD or becoming a caregiver for an LVAD recipient. There have been a lot of changes in your body and your life recently. There are many different causes of mental health issues, many of which are not under your control. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, it is not a bad thing to ask for help. There are many new medications and treatments available to help you feel better. Sometimes mental health issues are not recognized by the person who is affected. We have provided this tool to help you or a loved one identify when you may need to ask for help. Understanding was verbalized.