Cardiac failure is a serious cardiovascular disease, and the heart function of the patient is reduced and it is not effective to pump the blood to the body. When acute outbreaks occur, the disease tends to deteriorate rapidly, posing a great threat to the life and health of patients. Understanding the response to acute heart failure is therefore essential for patients and their families.
When there are signs of an acute outbreak in patients suffering from stress failure, it is first necessary to remain calm and avoid panic. Because excessive emotional stress can lead to a sense of neurological excitement, which accelerates the heartbeat, increases blood pressure and further increases the heart burden. The patient shall immediately cease all activities under way and sit or rest in place to minimize the oxygen consumption of the body.
If the patient is accompanied by oxygen, oxygen should be taken immediately. Oxygen can increase the oxygen content in the blood, reduce the oxygen deficiency in the heart and reduce symptoms such as respiratory difficulties. Generally, oxygen flows can be adjusted to 2 – 4 litres/minutes, where oxygen is inhaled through nose catheters or masks.
While resting on oxygen, the patient is required to remove the collars, sleeves and belts of the shirts as soon as possible in order to ensure a good breath. If the patient feels he/she has serious respiratory difficulties, he/she can take a half-bed or a side seat, with both legs down. This position reduces the respiration, reduces the front load of the heart, thus reducing the lung silt and improving the symptoms of respiratory difficulties. For example, the patient can sit by the bed, with a few pillows on his back, so that he/she can be half-bed, while his/her legs are attached to the bed.
The patient or family member should immediately call the first aid worker. While waiting for the arrival of the first aid worker, the patient is not moved at will unless the environment in which the patient is located is dangerous, such as proximity to the source of the fire, being in the main road. If removal is necessary, the patient ‘ s position should be kept as stable as possible to avoid violent shaking.
In the course of this process, the patient ‘ s family closely monitors changes in the patient ‘ s condition, such as the frequency of breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, colour, mental state, etc., and informs the emergency staff in a timely manner. If the patient is taking a drug, the first aid worker is given the name, dosage and time of the drug. Some heart failure patients may carry drugs such as nitrate glycerine, which, under the direction of a doctor, can be used in the tongue at acute onset to spread the blood vessels and reduce the heart load. It should be noted, however, that not all heart failure patients are suitable for the use of nitrate glycerine and therefore must be used with the consent of a doctor.
When first aid workers arrive, they conduct a comprehensive assessment and emergency treatment of patients, including vital signs, electrocardiograms, necessary medication, etc. Patients should actively cooperate with the emergency staff and inform them of their condition and feelings.
On the way to the hospital, the patient is required to maintain oxygen and half-bed or end-bed. In the event of a change in the patient ‘ s condition during the course of the journey, such as an emergency such as a cardiac arrest, the first aid worker immediately provides first aid such as CPR.
Treatment and rehabilitation of patients with heart failure after acute onset are also critical. When a patient has stabilized, he or she is required to follow the advice of a doctor and to provide a standard medication, such as urea, vascular stressor enzyme inhibitors and beta receptor retardants, to control the development of the condition. At the same time, care should be taken to adjust lifestyles, including limiting salt and water intake, avoiding overwork, maintaining emotional stability and curbing alcohol. Periodic reviews, such as cardiac ultrasound, electrocardiograms, blood tests, etc., are carried out so that doctors can keep abreast of changes in the condition and adjust the treatment programme.
People suffering from heart failure and their families need to be fully aware of and prepared for the response to acute stress. At critical times, it is possible to respond calmly, to take the right measures, to buy valuable time for the health of patients and to improve their success and quality of life.
Heart failure.
