Heart Failure Patient Education Flashcards
1
Q
ACE INHIBITORS / ARBS
A
- Common drugs: lisinopril, losartan, or valsartan
- Help preserve pumping action of your heart
- It also treats hypertension and prevent kidney damage in diabetic patients
- Adverse effects: cough, diarrhea, headache, loss of taste, nausea
- Report following symptoms to your doctor: sudden difficult breathing, swelling of face, mouth or extremities, fainting, skin rash, or chest pain
2
Q
Beta Blockers
A
• Common drugs: metoprolol succinate,
carvedilol, bisoprolol
- It works by lowering your heart rate, blood pressure and relieving chest pain
- It can lower your chance of having heart attack
- Abrupt discontinuation can be harmful
- Adverse effects: Unusual tiredness, weakness, slow pulse, breathing difficulty, mental confusion, cold extremities
- Make sure your doctor is aware if you have asthma or COPD
3
Q
Diuretics/ Water Pills
A
- Common drugs: hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, spironolactone
- It helps your body get rid of excess salt and water so your heart doesn’t have to work as hard
- You may be taking more than one diuretic at a time
- Take the pills early during the day to avoid nighttime trips to the bathroom
- Weigh yourself daily at the same time
- Adverse effects: increased sensitivity to the sun, electrolytes abnormalities
4
Q
Hydralazine and Isosorbide Dinitrate
A
- Lower chance of health problems and death in patients who identify as African American receiving optimal therapy with ACEIs and Beta Blockers
- Both help to open up blood vessels
- Adverse effects: headache, dizziness, stomach upset
5
Q
Digoxin
A
- It increases the strength and vigor of heart contractions
* Adverse effects: cardiac arrhythmias, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, visual disturbance, confusion, low serum potassium
