Heart Failure Guidelines
The 2009 revision of the ACC/AHA Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Heart Failure in Adults contains a number of evidence-based updates, revised text, and a new section called "hospitalized patient" (Hunt et al. e395). These revisions are the result of a task force that convened in 2008 and represent new findings published between 2005 and 2008.

Four stages along a continuum of heart failure are described, with the first two stages representing patients having medical conditions that increase the risk of heart failure (Hunt et al. e396). Stage A patients may have atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, metabolic syndrome, or have a family history of heart failure, but without structural heart disease (Hunt et al. e405-e408). Treatment strategies for Stage A patients include aggressive management of medical conditions and encouraging lifestyle changes. Stage A patients with vascular disease or diabetes may also benefit from ACE inhibitors or ABs.

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Reference

Hunt, Sharon, Abraham, William T., Chin, Marshall H., Feldman, Authur M., Francis, Gary S. et al. "2009 focused update incorporated into the ACC/AHA 2005 Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Heart Failure in Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation / American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines: Developed in collaboration with the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation." Circulation 119.14 (2009): e391-e479.

Heart failure has been described as a "complex clinical syndrome that results from either structural or functional impairment of ventricular filling or ejection," (Alspach, 2014, p. 1). Because of the multifaceted nature of heart failure, it is important to recognize its various symptoms and dimensions. Heart failure in general presents a major public health concern, with current prevalence at over five million adults in the United States and over 650,000 new cases being diagnosed each year (Alspach, 2014). Incidences are higher for persons aged 65 or older, and among certain ethnic groups as well. However, heart failure affects young children and accounts for as many as 10% of all pediatric cardiac transplants (Burch, 2002). Morbidity rates are likewise high, and heart failure is a leading cause of death in the United States. Because of this, heart failure has been described also as an "enormous clinical burden," (Burch, 2002).
isk factors are…...

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References

Alspach, J. G. (2014). Slowing the Revolving Door of Hospitalization for Acute Heart Failure. Critical Care Nurse, 34(1), 8-12 5p. doi:10.4037/ccn2014527

Burch, M. (2002). Heart failure in the young. Heart, 88(2), 198-202

Ho, J. E., & Magnani, J. W. (2015). The MESA heart failure risk score: can't we do more?. Heart (British Cardiac Society), 101(1), 7-9. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2014-306459

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (2015). How is heart failure treated? Retrieved online:  http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hf/treatment

Heart Failure
Literature Critique of Articles concerning Heart Failure

The two articles in this literature review are concerned with different aspects of care for patients diagnosed with some stage of heart failure (HF). Heart failure is one of the most prevalent and debilitating diseases worldwide and is the leading cause for hospitalizations for people older than 65 years (Schwarz, Mion, Hudock & Litman, 2007). These two articles look at ways of monitoring patients and the decision-making process involved with the care of HF patients.

A Process of Decision Making by Caregivers of Family Members with Heart Failure

The purpose of this research study was to determine the decision making process of caregivers of family members with heart failure. The authors sought to examine the different factors that influence decisions and the pathway that caregivers follow in coming to decisions. The research question, explicitly stated by the authors, is "how do caregivers of family…...

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References:

Sanford, J., Townsend-Rocchicciolli, J., Horigan, A., & Hall, P. (2011). A process of decision making by caregivers of family members with heart failure. Research & Theory for Nursing Practice, 25(1), 55-70.

Schwarz, K., Mion, P., Hudock, D., & Litman, G. (2007). Telemonitoring of heart failure patients and their caregivers: A pilot randomized controlled study. Progress in Cardiovascular Nursing, 23(1), 18-26.

Heart Failure Medication The purpose of the article by Gordin and Fonarow (2016) entitled “New Medications for Heart Failure” is to examine and discuss established guidelines for medical treatment for heart failure. Specifically, the article examines pharmacological interventions for heart failure with regard to ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, aldosterone antagonists and reduced ejection fraction. It looks at recent studies that have allowed new therapeutic methods to be developed using ivabradine and valsartan, the former of which decreases heart rate and the latter of which elevates vasodilatory peptides that have an angiotensin receptor antagonist. The article was chosen because it is timely and evaluates the “first new-in-class medications” designed to further help provide quality care for patients suffering from heart failure (Gordin & Fonarow, 2016, p. 491). By examining several trials conducted for the drugs, the study shows that both ivabradine and valsartan are effective in decreasing hospitalizations for patients with heart…...

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References

Bas, H. D., Baser, K., & Nair, N. (2017). Updates on management of advanced heart failure. The Southwest Respiratory and Critical Care Chronicles, 5(20), 12-21.

Gordin, J. & Fonarow, G. (2016). New medications for heart failure. Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine, 26, 485-492.

Heart failure is a serious medical condition that is brought by the failure of the heart to pump sufficient blood throughout the body at the right pressure. Generally, this condition is a progressive and chronic disease in which the heart muscle is incapable to pump adequate blood for all blood and oxygen needs of the body. Since the heart cannot keep up with its workload under this condition, it attempts to make up for the failure through enlarging, developing more muscle mass, and pumping faster. Enlarging involves stretching the heart chamber more in order to pump more blood while developing more muscle mass occurs because of increase in size of the contracting cells and pumping faster helps to enhance the heart's output ("About Heart Failure," n.d.). As a major health problem, potential solutions for heart failure is a nursing focused plan that incorporates identifying nursing goals, monitoring the patient, and…...

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References:

"About Heart Failure." (n.d.). American Heart Association. Retrieved March 27, 2014, from  http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartFailure/AboutHeartFailure/About-Heart-Failure_UCM_002044_Article.jsp 

Aurigemma, G.P. (2006, July 20). Diastolic Heart Failure -- A Common and Lethal Condition by Any Name. The New England Journal of Medicine, 355(3), 308-310. Retrieved from http://www.cfids-cab.org/MESA/Aurigemma.pdf

Gutierrez, C. & Blanchard, D.G. (2004, June 1). Diastolic Heart Failure: Challenges of Diagnosis

and Treatment. American Family Physician, 69(11), 2609-2616. Retrieved from  http://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/0601/p2609.pdf

Elders Delay Responding to Heart Failure Symptoms?
"Heart failure (HF) is the most common admission diagnosis in the United States for persons over 65 years of age, with readmission often occurring within 60 days of discharge… Part of the reason for repeated admissions is that patients delay responding to their HF symptoms" (Byrnes et al., 2009, p. 252-253).

"he specific aims of this study were to (a) describe the experience of and the cognitive and emotional response to the symptoms of decompensated HF, (b) determine the influence of sociodemographic, clinical, cognitive, emotional, and social contextual factors on symptom duration during this time, and (c) describe self-care behaviours prior to seeking care for decompensated HF" (Byrnes et al., 2009, p. 255).

Hypothesis

"We propose that delay in seeking care is due to the difficulty that HF patients experience in discerning the quality and meaning of their symptoms" (Byrnes et al., 2009, p. 255).

Study Methods

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The women were found to cope with turning points and transitions by creating stability in their lives. This was achieved by forming meaningful relationships, enhancing attentiveness to BGLs, and putting things into perspective.

Cox, H., Dunning, P., O'Connell, B., & Rasmussen, B. (2007). Young women with type 1

diabetes' management of turning points and transitions. Qualitative Health Research, 17(3), 300-310.

Congestive Heart Failure
It is a fact that Congestive Heart Failure is an extremely frightening word and an equally frightening concept to comprehend, and when a loved one, or oneself has been diagnosed with this condition, it is quite natural to relapse into a state of depression or panic. However, it is not an untreatable disease, and with the correct and appropriate treatment methods, and with the right physician attending, the patient would be able to live a very productive life in the future, and look forward to living a long life too. This paper deals with 'what is Congestive Heart Failure', and how often does it occur. Who are the people who would be the most prone to this condition, and what can be done to prevent it. What are the various preventive measures that can be taken by other individuals who have been identified to belong to a high-risk…...

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References

Almazan, Dondee; McFarland, sean; sanders, Lyza. "Congestive Heart Failure" Fresno Department of Nursing, California State University. Fresno, CA. Retrieved From   Accessed on 18 February, 2005http://www.csufresno.edu/nursing/n140/studassign/chf.htm 

Berlin, Richard B; Schatz, Bruce. R. "Population Monitoring of Quality of Life for Congestive Heart Failure" Retrieved From

Accessed on 18 February, 2005http://www.canis.uiuc.edu/archive/papers/chf-heart-submit.pdf?

Cardinale, Carol. P. (3 May, 2001) "Medical Management of Heart Failure" Retrieved From Accessed on 18 February, 2005http://globalrph.healthology.com/globalrph/15380.htm#Diuretics%20to%20Remove%20Excess

One's heart may appear enlarged in heart failure. The X-ray also may reveal whether ther e is any fluid buildup in the person's lungs. X-rays also sometimes show conditions other than heart failure that possibly cause the patient's signs and symptoms (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2009).
Electrocardiogram (ECG): Through electrodes attached to the patient's skin, an ECG records the electrical activity of person's heart and records the impulses. These impulses, displayed on a monitor, may also be printed on paper. From this test, the doctor can diagnose heart rhythm problems and also ascertain damage the person's heart may have experienced from a heart attack that may underlie heart failure (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2009).

Echocardiogram: From this test, the doctor can diagnose and monitor heart failure. "An echocardiogram also helps distinguish systolic heart failure from diastolic heart failure, in which the heart is stiff and can't fill properly. An echocardiogram uses sound waves…...

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REFERENCES

Akomolafe, a., Quarshie, a., Jackson, P., Thomas, J. & Et al. (2005). The Prevalence of Cognitive Impairment among African-American Patients with Congestive Heart Failure.

Journal of the National Medical Association. National Medical Association. Retrieved March 12, 2010 from HighBeam Research:  http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3854281751.html 

Congestive Heart Failure. (2010). American Heart Association. Retrieved March 16, 2010 from  http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4585 

Congestive heart failure. (2008). The Columbia Encyclopedia. Sixth Edition. Retrieved March

Pregnant or breastfeeding women, older patients and other patients with certain medical problems are advised to first consult their doctors before using the drugs. These medical problems are heart disease, heart rhythm problems, severe lung disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and thyroid disease (Flanigan).
Although side effects of digitalis drugs are rare, patients are urged to consult reactions such as skin rash, hives or other troublesome symptoms (May 2006). Signs of overdose should be observed and also reported promptly. Digitalis drugs may also interact with other medicines and side effects can develop. They may increase the risk of heart rhythm disorders when taken with other heart medicines, amphetamines or diet medicines. Taking calcium channel blockers may increase digitalis level and lead to overdose. Diuretics, which reduce the amount of potassium in the body, may increase the side effects of digitalis medicines. Anti-diarrhea or cholesterol medicines and high-fiber foods can prevent…...

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Bibliography

Cayley, William E., Jr. "Digitalis for Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure in Patients in Sinus Rhythm." Cochrane for Clinicians. American Academy of Family Physicians, 2004

Drug Digest Team. "Heart Failure." Drug Digest. DrugDigest.com: Express Scripts,

Inc., 2007

Flanigan, Nancy Ross-. Digitalis Drugs. Encyclopedia of Medicine: Encyclopedia of Medicine: Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 2001

Activity is another important concern for many individuals that have congestive heart failure. Some of them will be resentful of the fact that they are no longer are able to perform many of the activities that they once performed, and others will be so afraid to perform any type of activity at all that they will become sedentary, which can also be dangerous. All individuals, regardless of their medical condition, should be encouraged to be as active as they can safely for as long as they can (Legge & Leeper, 2002).

hen nurses work with individuals that have congestive heart failure, they should work towards reassuring them about the activity level that they can handle and what they should be doing to keep themselves as healthy as possible. As has been mentioned, most cases of congestive heart failure are mild to moderate and they can be treated with proper lifestyle changes…...

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Works Cited

Badash, M. (2003). Risk Factors for Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). Retrieved 9 February 2005 at  http://www.stjohn.org/healthinfolib/HGArticle.aspx?ArticleID=19256 

Congestive Heart Failure (2005). American Heart Association. Retrieved 9 February 2005 at  http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4585 

Legge, D., & Leeper, B. (2002). Management of heart failure: Use of biventricular pacing. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 16(3): 72.

Plowfield, L. (2004). Clinical education initiative in the community: caring for patients with congestive heart failure. Nursing Education Perspectives.

Congestive Heart Failure
Description of the Health Issue

Congestive heart failure does not necessarily mean that the heart has stopped functioning, but it does mean that the heart is not pumping blood as effectively as it should be -- and normally is -- pumping the body's life-sustaining substance. This paper delves into the reasons why a person suffers from congestive heart failure, what actually happens to the heart and to the body, and the medical treatment and clinical manifestations appropriate for this condition.

Literature Review of Health Issue

According to the peer-reviewed Texas Heart Institute Journal, congestive heart failure affects "5.7 million individuals," and there are "700,000 new diagnoses" annually (Mosalpuria, 2014). After the first congestive heart failure event, Mosalpuria explains that there are often "multiple relapses" and about half of those suffering from congestive heart failure will be hospitalized within the first year after the event, and within that first year about one-third…...

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Works Cited

Emedicinehealth. (2014). Congestive Heart Failure Overview. Retrieved September 22, 2014,

from  http://www.emedicinehealth.com .

Francis, G.S. (2003). Pathophysiology of congestive heart failure. PubMed. Retrieved

September 22, 2014, from http://www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov.

This severely weakens the heart muscles because it has to pump harder to get the oxygen to flow properly.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (CPOD) is a disease of the lungs that makes it extremely difficult for the patient to breathe. One of the leading causes of this disease is tobacco smoke. This can be from first hand smoke where the patient himself is a smoker, or it can be caused by second hand tobacco smoke. Of the 98 patients in this subpopulation, 39 patients (40%) were also diagnosed with COPD. It is extremely important for the congestive heart failure patient to be a non-smoker and live in a smoke-free environment. Along with ways to manage the existing conditions that the patient has, the case manager must make it a priority to include information to help the patient quit smoking. If the patient is a victim of second hand smoke, simple…...

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Bibliography

Blinderman, Craig D., Homel, Peter, Billings, J. Andrew, Portenoy, Russell K., and Sharon L. Tennestedt. (2008). Symptom distress and quality of life in patients with advanced congestive heart failure. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 35(6), 594-603.

Hamner, Jenny B. And Kathy Jo Ellison. (2005). Predictors of hospital readmission after discharge in patients with congestive heart failure. Heart & Lung, 34(4), 231-239.

Markle, Ann. (2004). The economic impact of case management. The Case Manager, 15(4), 54-58.

Congestive Heart Failure
TREATMENT and EDUCATION PLAN

Cardiomyopathy and Congestive Heart Failure

Cardiomyopathy is a diseased condition of the heart muscle wherein it enlarges or becomes rigid or thickens (NHLI, 2011). It has many causes, signs and symptoms as well as therapies. In extreme but rare cases, the affected heart muscle is replaced with scar tissue (NHLI). Congestive heart failure or CHF, on the other hand, is a condition wherein the heart becomes unable to pump blood efficiently into the organs of the body. The cause is either the right or left ventricle or both. Usual symptoms are shortness of breath, pooling of blood in the body systems, edema and heart enlargement. Among the causes are coronary artery disease, prolonged alcohol use, heart muscle weakness and high blood pressure (MedicineNet).

Approach in Care

The ideal one is an organized team of specialists, which will aim at improved overall outcome (Jaarsma, 2005). This includes improved quality…...

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Jaarsma, T. (2005). Interpersonal team approach to patients with heart failure. Vol. 91 #

6, Heart: BMJ Group, Inc. Retrieved on July 13, 2014 from  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1768956 

MedicineNet (2014). Definition of congestive heart failure. MedTerms. Retrieved on July

17, 2014 from  http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=6972

Community Awareness
Congestive Heart Failure Awareness

Creating awareness has over the years been the most effective way of teaching people the emerging trends of the universe. These trends are inclusive of health issues; increasing rates of pandemics and other health-related risks. It has been effectuated in order to counter and reduce the increasing rate of disease, and to provide the necessary information that can be used to prevent and treat such issues. Such issues have led to the introduction and assignment of educating roles in organizations at grass root levels. Such is my organization that has conducted awareness internally to the workforce and to the community.

Topic and scenario discussion

Congestive heart failure has joined the list of diseases that have immensely affected citizens, not only across the United States, but also globally. It is a chronic condition of the inability of heart functionality to deliver blood to other necessitated parts of the…...

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References

Baliga, R.R., Pitt, B. And Givertz. (2008). Management of Heart Failure. New York: Springer.

Quinn, C. (2006). 100 Questions and Answers about Congestive Heart Failure. Chicago: Jones & Bartlett.

safe Transition • in October 2012, made Medicare payment rules. Hospitals penalized a patient returns 30 days treatment problem. One targeted medical diagnoses payment change heart failure (HF).
Making a safe transition

Heart failure medication

Medications used to treat heart failure and why they are used

Beta adrenergic blockers, diuretics and ACE inhibitors are some of the common classes of drugs used to manage heart failure. Beta adrenergic blockers are used because they are able to slow the heart rate allowing the left ventricle, which is the main pumping chamber, to fill with blood completely. They can also help to open blood vessels wider thus reducing the blood pressure and improving the flow of blood. This helps to improve the percentage of blood that is pumped from the left ventricle per heartbeat, also known as the ejection fraction, and to slow the progression of heart failure. Diuretics are also used to treat heart…...

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References

Chen, C.-C., Tseng, C.-H., & Cheng, S.-H. (2013). Continuity of Care, Medication Adherence, and Health Care Outcomes Among Patients With Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes: A Longitudinal Analysis. Medical Care, 51(3), 231-237. doi: 10.2307/23434247

Sharma, K.P., & Taylor, T.N. (2012). Pharmacy Effect on Adherence to Antidiabetic Medications. Medical Care, 50(8), 685-691. doi: 10.2307/41714545

Weinberg, D.B., Cooney-Miner, D., Perloff, J.N., Babington, L., & Avgar, A.C. (2011). Building Collaborative Capacity: Promoting Interdisciplinary Teamwork in the Absence of Formal Teams. Medical Care, 49(8), 716-723. doi: 10.2307/23053837

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Cor Pulmonale is pulmonary heart disease, which causes failure of the right ventricle. This comes as a result of high blood pressure within the lungs. Pulmonary edema is fluid accumulation in the lungs, often as a result of congestive heart failure. Both diseases would be unfortunate and difficult to deal with, but pulmonary edema would be preferable. There are medications and treatments that can be used in order to reduce the fluid in the lungs and keep the congestive heart failure at bay. The Cor Pulmonale, though, will damage the heart\'s right ventricle, and there is nothing that can be....

1. The Role of Exercise in Preventing Cardiovascular Disease in Men: A Comprehensive Examination

Introduction: Highlight the prevalence and impact of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among men and emphasize the role of exercise as a preventive measure.

Body:
Discuss the physiological mechanisms by which exercise improves cardiovascular health, including increased blood flow, improved blood pressure regulation, and enhanced lipid profiles.
Explore the specific types and intensities of exercise that are most effective in reducing CVD risk.
Review evidence from clinical trials and observational studies demonstrating the association between regular exercise and lower incidence of CVD events.

Conclusion: Summarize the key findings supporting the protective....

How Technology and Data Science Can Revolutionize Patient Care

The healthcare industry is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by the advent of advanced technologies and the proliferation of data. Technology and data science are providing healthcare providers with unprecedented opportunities to improve patient care, enhance efficiency, and reduce costs. Here are several ways in which technology and data science can revolutionize patient care:

Predictive Analytics for Patient Safety:

Predictive analytics uses data to identify patterns and predict future events. In healthcare, predictive analytics can be used to identify patients at risk of developing certain conditions, such as sepsis or heart failure. This information....