February is American Heart Month

February 22, 2021 | by mbaker

What is heart failure?

Heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped working. Rather, it means that the heart pumping power is weaker than normal. With heart failure, blood moves through the heart and body at a slower rate, and pressure in the heart increases. As a result, the heart cannot pump enough oxygen and nutrients to meet the body's needs. The chambers o fht eheart may respond by stretching to hold more blood to pump through the body or by beocming stiff and thickened. This helps to keep the blood moving, but the heart muscle walls may eventually weaken and become unable to pump efficiently.

When does Heritage Hospice, Inc. play a role?

Any patient with end-stage cardiac disease may be appropriate for hospice care if the patient has a life expectancy of six months or less should the disease run it's natural course. A hospice assessment may be appropriate if the patient has experienced one or any of the following:

• Multiple hospitalizations
• Oxygen depedence
• Ejection fraction < 20 percent. Ejection fraction is the measurement doctors use to asses how well the heart is pumping blood
• Decrease in ability to perform normal activities of daily living, such as getting dressed or preparing a meal
• Patient is not a candidate for or declines invasive procedures such as coronary artery bypass surgery

For more information, contact Heritage Hospice, Inc. at 859-236-2425.

Sources: WebMD and Centers for Disease Control