Cardiovascular Essentials for Nurses-Handout: HF Symptom Tracker

Handout: HF Symptom Tracker

Pdf Summary

This document provides a checklist for individuals with symptoms related to heart failure. It includes signs that require immediate medical attention, such as a dry cough, shortness of breath at rest, increased discomfort or swelling in the lower body, sudden weight gain, new or worsening dizziness, confusion, sadness or depression, loss of appetite, and increased trouble sleeping. These symptoms indicate the need to contact a doctor or healthcare team right away. <br /><br />The document also lists symptoms that may require a change in medications, including a worsening cough, increased shortness of breath with activity, increased swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet, sudden weight gain, discomfort or swelling in the abdomen, and trouble sleeping. <br /><br />On the other hand, the document provides reassurance for individuals without these symptoms. If there is no new or worsening shortness of breath, the physical activity level is normal, there is no new swelling, and the weight check is stable, individuals are advised to continue with their daily weight checks, follow their medication instructions, maintain a low-sodium diet, attend follow-up visits, and follow the self-check plan for heart failure management. <br /><br />The document concludes with a copyright statement from the American Heart Association.

Keywords

heart failure symptoms

medical attention

dry cough

shortness of breath at rest

sudden weight gain

dizziness

loss of appetite

trouble sleeping

change in medications

low-sodium diet