The basics. Basics of the Heart: what does the heart do? -- What is coronary artery disease? -- What is cardiac arrest? -- What is heart failure? -- What causes weakness of the heart muscle? -- What are the effects of heart failure? -- What are the symptoms of heart failure? -- What are the complications of heart failure? -- How do we know when heart failure is worsening? -- How is heart failure diagnosed? -- Basics of caregiving: the role of caregivers -- Resources for help -- Managing common symptoms of heart disease. Chest pain -- Shortness of breath -- Palpitations -- Leg swelling -- Passing out -- Taking care of yourself. Caring for your own physical health -- Caring for your own mental health -- Organization tips -- Asking for help -- Setting goals. Goals of care -- What is advance care planning? -- Power of attorney, living will, DNR and DNI orders, and POLST -- How to create these documents -- Common heart conditions, tests, and treatments. Heart failure -- Diseases of heart valves -- Cardiomyopathy -- Diseases affecting the coronary artery -- Diseases affecting the electrical system of the heart -- Tests -- Treatments -- Day-to-day care issues. Exercise -- Diet -- Dry weight and fluid weight -- Blood pressure -- Heart rate -- Physical safety -- Managing emotions -- Medication management. What medicines are used to treat heart failure? -- Beta blockers -- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors -- Angiotensin receptor blockers -- Diuretics -- Statins -- Warfarin -- Amiodarone -- Antiplatelet medicines -- Isosorbide -- Sotalol -- Aspirin -- Angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI) -- Sodium-glucose transport protein 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors -- Your teammates with health care system. Health care team in the hospital setting -- Health care team in the outpatient setting -- Interacting with the health care team -- The palliative care team -- Useful information to have on hand: recording sheets. Information to gather before calling a health care provider -- Personal health record -- Vital signs recording sheet.
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