HF describes a usually gradual weakening in heart tissue and a decline in its
ability to perform its function to pump blood around the body
Causes
reduced ventricular contractility, as result of myocarditis (inflammation of the-myocardium), cardiomyopathy (hypertrophy of heart tissue) or MI
ventricular outflow obstruction, caused by hypertension, narrowing of the aorta-
(aortic stenosis), pulmonary hypertension or pulmonary valve stenosis
ventricular inflow obstruction, as a result of stenosis of the mitral and tricuspid-
valves, among other causes
ventricular volume overload, due to failure of the mitral valve regulating the-
flow of blood into the left ventricle and the septa separating the heart chambers
arrhythmias-
Symptoms
fatigue and shortness of breath after mild exertion-
dry, wheezy, hacking cough occurring a few hours after lying down butstopping after sitting up-
accumulation of fl uid in the feet, ankles, legs and abdomen-
weight loss-
Emergency aid
Put patient into a half-sitting position, with head and shoulders supported (e.g-
with cushions or pillows) and knees bent
Help patients to use any angina medication they are carrying-
If patient is fully conscious, give a 300 mg aspirin tablet to chew-
Pharmacists would not normally encounter situations of acute HF-
No comments:
Post a Comment