Ellen Campbell-Grizzle
MEDICATION IS one important part of managing congestive heart failure (CHF), commonly called heart failure. Congestive heart failure is a disorder in which the heart loses its ability to pump blood efficiently. As the heart's pumping action is lost, blood may back up in other areas of the body including the liver, lungs, gastrointestinal tract and extremities. With heart failure, many organs do not receive enough oxygen and nutrients; this harms them and reduces their ability to function properly. Most areas of the body can be affected when both sides of the heart fails.
Medicines can help your heart to reduce the amount of work or strengthen its pumping action. Each CHF sufferer has different medication and dosage needs. If your physician makes a CHF diagnoses, it is important to take the right medication at the right time even when you feel well.
Your doctor may prescribe medication from the following families of drugs. These are aldosterone antagonists, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), beta blockers, diuretics or digitalis glycosides.
There are several products in each category. Your pharmacists is well placed to tell you how each drug works and to prepare you for side effects and other related factors.
WEIGH EVERY DAY
Remember, heart failure can be controlled with medication, lifestyle changes and correction of underlying disorders. The condition may worsen with infection or other physical stressors. Your doctor will monitor you closely. However, you have a responsibility to carefully monitor yourself. Try to track your weight on a daily basis. Weight gain can be a sign that you are retaining fluid and that the pumping function of your heart is worsening. Make sure that you weigh yourself at the same time each day , on the same scale, with little or no clothes on.
MEDICATION USE AND LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Your physician may recommend treatment for the following underlying conditions with exercise, diet and medication if necessary. These conditions include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, thyroid disorder, abnormal heart rhythms and diabetes. For you, the following represent the terrible trio:
Smoking
Alcohol use
Salt and sodium intake
INCREASED RISK
You are at increased risk of heart failure with advancing age. If you have a strong family history of CHF, your risk may be high. Abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other addictive drugs can lead to CHF. Some common symptoms include weight gain, swelling of feet, ankles and abdomen, loss of appetite, indigestion, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath with activity or after lying down for a while, decreased alertness, decreased urine production and the urge to urinate at night.
Remember, some people have no symptoms so it is wise to get regular check ups.
IMPORTANT MEASURES
Do not cook with salt. Be careful of packaged spice blends as these often contain salt or salt products.
Avoid foods that are naturally high in sodium.
Use oil and vinegar rather than bottled dressings on salads.
Eat fresh fruits for dessert.
Some diuretics affect your body's normal amount of sodium and potassium. As a result, you may need to replenish potassium. Talk to your physician or pharmacist about this.
Remember, take your medications as directed. Plan ahead to be sure that you have enough medication on hand, especially when you are going on a trip or over the holidays. Make time to relax and enjoy your life. You and your heart will benefit.
Ellen Campbell-Grizzle, president, Caribbean Association of Pharmacists; director, information and research, National Council on Drug Abuse; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
