Shumit/Heart-Failure-Text · Datasets at Hugging Face

text stringlengths 0 2.95k

MONITORING YOUR WATER WEIGHT
Usually, if your weight increases by a few pounds over the course of several days, it is not because you have gained fat or muscle. Noticeable changes in weight over a few days typically relate to accumulation of water, or water weight. This may be the first sign of fluid buildup due to heart failure.
Monitoring your weight is an important way to manage your heart failure. You should:
Weigh yourself every morning the same way:
Go to the washroom and empty your bladder
Wear the same thing every morning
Don’t eat before weighing yourself
Use the same scale every day
Record your weight on a calendar. You can use a tracking log to record your weight and notice any changes.
If your weight has increased, ask yourself:
Have I consumed more salt/sodium than usual in the last few days?
Have I been drinking more fluid than recommended?
Has there been a change in the amount of urine I’m producing?
If you have gained more than two pounds (0.9 kg) in one day, or five pounds (2.2 kg) in a one week, this may be a sign that you are retaining fluid. You may need to begin taking/take more diuretics and should contact your health care provider.

FLUID INTAKE
Fluid restriction is key to treating heart failure symptoms. Remember:
Ask your health care provider how much fluid you should limit yourself to each day. For patients with heart failure, this is usually 1.5 to 2 L per day, or about 6-8 cups.
You are not just restricting the water you drink. You should also be including coffee, tea, juice, soup, JELL-O, ice cream, and even some fruit (especially melons like watermelon) in your restriction.
Your health care provider may prescribe a diuretic, or “water pill,” to help expel extra fluid that has accumulated in your body. These water pills may make you feel thirsty, but this does not mean that your body needs more fluid. It is important to not compensate for the fluid you are losing by drinking more.
Tips for controlling your fluid intake
Plan ahead to spread out the fluid you drink over the day.
At first, use a 1.5 or 2L bottle to keep track of the fluid you are drinking. For example, when you have a cup of coffee, measure out the same amount of water and pour it into the bottle. When you have filled the bottle, you have reached your fluid allowance for the day. You can also keep track by recording and adding up fluid amounts on a piece of paper that you keep nearby.
With a measuring cup, measure the amount of fluid held by your drinking glasses, coffee cup, and soup bowl. Knowing how much fluid they hold will help you to plan the amount of fluid you can drink for the day.
Use small cups and sip slowly.
Take your pills with apple sauce or soft food such as yogurt.
Drain excess fluid from canned fruit.
If you are thirsty or have a dry mouth, try sucking on small amounts of hard candy or a lemon or lime wedge. If you have diabetes, make sure the candies are sugar-free.
Some people find that brushing their teeth often or rinsing their mouth with chilled mouth wash helps manage their thirst.
Use a humidifier to moisten the air in a room.

HEART FUNCTION
The heart circulates blood throughout the body. It pumps deoxygenated blood from the body to the lungs where it receives oxygen and supplies the freshly oxygenated blood from the lungs to the body. The heart is divided into the right side and left side and composed of four chambers: two right and left top chambers (atria) and two right and left bottom chambers (ventricles). Valves separate the atria, ventricles, and arteries.

WHAT IS HEART FAILURE?
Heart failure is a condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body. It is a chronic condition, which means that is can be treated but not cured. Once diagnosed, most people live with heart failure for the rest of their lives.

HOW IS CARDIOTOXICITY DIAGNOSED AND MANAGED?
How is Cardiotoxicity Diagnosed and Managed?
Oncology and cardiology teams can work closely together on providing care for people undergoing cancer treatment before problems arise.
These “cardio-oncology” teams monitor patients at risk of developing heart problems during cancer therapy, diagnose any heart issues, and begin early treatment. These teams continue to monitor patients in the months and years following cancer treatment. Cardiotoxicity is diagnosed by physical exams and specific tests.
One of the goals of a cardio-oncology team is to minimize interruptions to cancer therapy, as delays and interruptions can impact long-term outcomes. By diagnosing cardiotoxicity early, the cardiology team can start medications to stabilize and improve heart function, often while the oncology team continues to administer cancer therapy.
Your cardio-oncology team is readily accessible to optimize your cardiac medications and care needs. These medications may include beta blockers, ace inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers, and statins.
By self-monitoring and self-managing, patients can also help manage cardiotoxicity.

MONITORING BLOOD PRESSURE
High blood pressure is diagnosed by self-monitoring at home as well as during clinic visits. As anxiety related to clinic appointments and testing may elevate your blood pressure, at-home testing helps your team determine what your blood pressure is like in your everyday environment and can make an impact on your treatment. It is recommended that you monitor your blood pressure once a week and take those readings to clinic appointments. We strive for a blood pressure at home of less than 130/80 mm Hg.
If your blood pressure is consistently high, you may need medications to control your blood pressure. Blood pressure can be controlled with one or more medications. It can be difficult to predict how long you will have to be on blood pressure medication. Sometimes, high blood pressure is related to your specific cancer treatment and may go back to normal after your treatment is completed. However, sometimes blood pressure medication may be needed in the long-term.
Commonly used medications for high blood pressure include:

ACE inhibitors (Ramipril, Perindopril, Lisinopril)
Angiotension II receptor blockers (Candesartan, Valsartan, Irbesartan, Telmisartan)
Calcium channel blockers (Amlodipine, Diltiazem)
Diuretics (Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, Chlorthalidone).


MONITORING HEART RHYTHM
Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) can be detected by electrocardiograms (ECG) and Holter monitors. Sometimes patients can feel a fast or irregular heartbeat or skipped beats – these are called palpitations. Testing determines whether these palpitations are significant and require treatment.
Not all arrhythmias require treatment. Discuss with your health care provider whether medications can control the arrhythmia and prevent blood clots. These medications may include:

Beta blockers
Digoxin
Anti-arrhythmic medications (amiodarone)
Aspirin
Anti-coagulants (blood thinners such as apixaban or coumadin).


MONITORING TROPONIN LEVELS
Troponin is a heart protein not normally found in the blood. However, it is released into the bloodstream when the heart is injured. The greater the damage to the heart, the higher the level of troponin in the blood. For example, patients who have had heart attacks typically have high levels of troponin in their blood at the time of their injury.
Patients at risk for heart injury during their cancer therapy may have troponin levels checked during their treatment. This allows health care providers to detect heart injury before the onset of heart failure symptoms.

TREATING CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE
Narrowing and thickening of the arteries of the heart is caused by cholesterol deposits, which leads to coronary artery disease (CAD). While this typically takes years, some cancer therapies can increase the rate of this process.
Coronary artery disease is treated with medication and may require a coronary angiogram (a dye test to look for narrowing of arteries) and stenting or bypass surgery.
Learn more about coronary artery disease diagnosis and treatment.

TREATING CORONARY ARTERY VASOSPASMS
<img decoding="async" class="wp-image-239742 alignnone " src="https://ourhearthub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CardioTox2.png" alt="" width="396" height="396" />
Cancer therapy may also cause an injury to the arteries called vasospasms. Vasospasms can also decrease the blood flow to the heart but are more temporary and do lead to heart attacks. Medications such as Fluorouracil (5-FU) or capecitabine, which are often used for colo-rectal cancer, can cause vasospasms.
Vasospasms can feel like chest discomfort (tightening, squeezing, burning, pressure sensation), which may begin in the middle of chest and can spread to the neck, shoulder, jaw, and arm. Pain usually occurs when at rest.
Vasospasms are treated using nitrates, calcium channel blockers, and statins.
Your cardio-oncology team wants to know about any symptoms you are having, especially during your cancer therapies. However, it is important to call 911 if you have any of the following symptoms:

Chest pain or sudden shortness of breath shortly after receiving chemotherapy/immune therapy
Chest pain that is not relieved with nitroglycerin
Chest pain that includes dizziness, fast heart rate, or sweating


TREATING MYOCARDITIS
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. It can be related to viral infections or may be a side effect of cancer therapies.
Learn more about myocarditis and how it is treated.

MEDICATIONS
There are a number of medications that are used for the management of heart failure. These medications belong to “classes.”
All medications have side effects and may require blood tests to monitor your kidney function and the electrolytes in your blood.
Do not adjust the doses or stop taking your medications before speaking to your health care provider.
If you experience a side effect from medication or feel unwell after starting medication, speak to your health care provider.

MEDICATIONS

MONITORING YOUR WATER WEIGHT

Usually, if your weight increases by a few pounds over the course of several days, it is not because you have gained fat or muscle. Noticeable changes in weight over a few days typically relate to accumulation of water, or water weight. This may be the first sign of fluid buildup due to heart failure.

Monitoring your weight is an important way to manage your heart failure. You should:

Weigh yourself every morning the same way:

Go to the washroom and empty your bladder

Wear the same thing every morning

Don’t eat before weighing yourself

Use the same scale every day

Record your weight on a calendar. You can use a tracking log to record your weight and notice any changes.

If your weight has increased, ask yourself:

Have I consumed more salt/sodium than usual in the last few days?

Have I been drinking more fluid than recommended?

Has there been a change in the amount of urine I’m producing?

If you have gained more than two pounds (0.9 kg) in one day, or five pounds (2.2 kg) in a one week, this may be a sign that you are retaining fluid. You may need to begin taking/take more diuretics and should contact your health care provider.

FLUID INTAKE

Fluid restriction is key to treating heart failure symptoms. Remember:

Ask your health care provider how much fluid you should limit yourself to each day. For patients with heart failure, this is usually 1.5 to 2 L per day, or about 6-8 cups.

You are not just restricting the water you drink. You should also be including coffee, tea, juice, soup, JELL-O, ice cream, and even some fruit (especially melons like watermelon) in your restriction.

Your health care provider may prescribe a diuretic, or “water pill,” to help expel extra fluid that has accumulated in your body. These water pills may make you feel thirsty, but this does not mean that your body needs more fluid. It is important to not compensate for the fluid you are losing by drinking more.

Tips for controlling your fluid intake

Plan ahead to spread out the fluid you drink over the day.

At first, use a 1.5 or 2L bottle to keep track of the fluid you are drinking. For example, when you have a cup of coffee, measure out the same amount of water and pour it into the bottle. When you have filled the bottle, you have reached your fluid allowance for the day. You can also keep track by recording and adding up fluid amounts on a piece of paper that you keep nearby.

With a measuring cup, measure the amount of fluid held by your drinking glasses, coffee cup, and soup bowl. Knowing how much fluid they hold will help you to plan the amount of fluid you can drink for the day.

Use small cups and sip slowly.

Take your pills with apple sauce or soft food such as yogurt.

Drain excess fluid from canned fruit.

If you are thirsty or have a dry mouth, try sucking on small amounts of hard candy or a lemon or lime wedge. If you have diabetes, make sure the candies are sugar-free.

Some people find that brushing their teeth often or rinsing their mouth with chilled mouth wash helps manage their thirst.

Use a humidifier to moisten the air in a room.

HEART FUNCTION

The heart circulates blood throughout the body. It pumps deoxygenated blood from the body to the lungs where it receives oxygen and supplies the freshly oxygenated blood from the lungs to the body. The heart is divided into the right side and left side and composed of four chambers: two right and left top chambers (atria) and two right and left bottom chambers (ventricles). Valves separate the atria, ventricles, and arteries.

WHAT IS HEART FAILURE?

Heart failure is a condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body. It is a chronic condition, which means that is can be treated but not cured. Once diagnosed, most people live with heart failure for the rest of their lives.

HOW IS CARDIOTOXICITY DIAGNOSED AND MANAGED?

How is Cardiotoxicity Diagnosed and Managed?

Oncology and cardiology teams can work closely together on providing care for people undergoing cancer treatment before problems arise.

These “cardio-oncology” teams monitor patients at risk of developing heart problems during cancer therapy, diagnose any heart issues, and begin early treatment. These teams continue to monitor patients in the months and years following cancer treatment. Cardiotoxicity is diagnosed by physical exams and specific tests.

One of the goals of a cardio-oncology team is to minimize interruptions to cancer therapy, as delays and interruptions can impact long-term outcomes. By diagnosing cardiotoxicity early, the cardiology team can start medications to stabilize and improve heart function, often while the oncology team continues to administer cancer therapy.

Your cardio-oncology team is readily accessible to optimize your cardiac medications and care needs. These medications may include beta blockers, ace inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers, and statins.

By self-monitoring and self-managing, patients can also help manage cardiotoxicity.

MONITORING BLOOD PRESSURE

High blood pressure is diagnosed by self-monitoring at home as well as during clinic visits. As anxiety related to clinic appointments and testing may elevate your blood pressure, at-home testing helps your team determine what your blood pressure is like in your everyday environment and can make an impact on your treatment. It is recommended that you monitor your blood pressure once a week and take those readings to clinic appointments. We strive for a blood pressure at home of less than 130/80 mm Hg.

If your blood pressure is consistently high, you may need medications to control your blood pressure. Blood pressure can be controlled with one or more medications. It can be difficult to predict how long you will have to be on blood pressure medication. Sometimes, high blood pressure is related to your specific cancer treatment and may go back to normal after your treatment is completed. However, sometimes blood pressure medication may be needed in the long-term.

Commonly used medications for high blood pressure include:

ACE inhibitors (Ramipril, Perindopril, Lisinopril)

Angiotension II receptor blockers (Candesartan, Valsartan, Irbesartan, Telmisartan)

Calcium channel blockers (Amlodipine, Diltiazem)

Diuretics (Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, Chlorthalidone).

MONITORING HEART RHYTHM

Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) can be detected by electrocardiograms (ECG) and Holter monitors. Sometimes patients can feel a fast or irregular heartbeat or skipped beats – these are called palpitations. Testing determines whether these palpitations are significant and require treatment.

Not all arrhythmias require treatment. Discuss with your health care provider whether medications can control the arrhythmia and prevent blood clots. These medications may include:

Beta blockers

Digoxin

Anti-arrhythmic medications (amiodarone)

Aspirin

Anti-coagulants (blood thinners such as apixaban or coumadin).

MONITORING TROPONIN LEVELS

Troponin is a heart protein not normally found in the blood. However, it is released into the bloodstream when the heart is injured. The greater the damage to the heart, the higher the level of troponin in the blood. For example, patients who have had heart attacks typically have high levels of troponin in their blood at the time of their injury.

Patients at risk for heart injury during their cancer therapy may have troponin levels checked during their treatment. This allows health care providers to detect heart injury before the onset of heart failure symptoms.

TREATING CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

Narrowing and thickening of the arteries of the heart is caused by cholesterol deposits, which leads to coronary artery disease (CAD). While this typically takes years, some cancer therapies can increase the rate of this process.

Coronary artery disease is treated with medication and may require a coronary angiogram (a dye test to look for narrowing of arteries) and stenting or bypass surgery.

Learn more about coronary artery disease diagnosis and treatment.

TREATING CORONARY ARTERY VASOSPASMS

Cancer therapy may also cause an injury to the arteries called vasospasms. Vasospasms can also decrease the blood flow to the heart but are more temporary and do lead to heart attacks. Medications such as Fluorouracil (5-FU) or capecitabine, which are often used for colo-rectal cancer, can cause vasospasms.

Vasospasms can feel like chest discomfort (tightening, squeezing, burning, pressure sensation), which may begin in the middle of chest and can spread to the neck, shoulder, jaw, and arm. Pain usually occurs when at rest.

Vasospasms are treated using nitrates, calcium channel blockers, and statins.

Your cardio-oncology team wants to know about any symptoms you are having, especially during your cancer therapies. However, it is important to call 911 if you have any of the following symptoms:

Chest pain or sudden shortness of breath shortly after receiving chemotherapy/immune therapy

Chest pain that is not relieved with nitroglycerin

Chest pain that includes dizziness, fast heart rate, or sweating

TREATING MYOCARDITIS

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. It can be related to viral infections or may be a side effect of cancer therapies.

Learn more about myocarditis and how it is treated.

MEDICATIONS

There are a number of medications that are used for the management of heart failure. These medications belong to “classes.”

All medications have side effects and may require blood tests to monitor your kidney function and the electrolytes in your blood.

Do not adjust the doses or stop taking your medications before speaking to your health care provider.

If you experience a side effect from medication or feel unwell after starting medication, speak to your health care provider.

MEDICATIONS