Nursing Made Incredibly Easy by Donna Chovnowski - Article Example

Each stage has relevant information that can be relayed to the patient with the goal in mind of making the patient responsible for the maintenance of his own heart, especially in the early stages. Also, the article emphasizes the value of sticking to a medication regimen, consuming a portion of healthy food, as well as exercising as a means of preventing heart failure. Heart failure is a disease that afflicts no less than half a million Americans each year according to the article. This makes the disease top the list of diseases that cause mortality.

According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, heart failure is commonly caused by diabetes, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Nevertheless, the article argues that heart failure can be linked to any of these dysfunctions: systolic or diastolic. The aforementioned causes cited by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute are usually diastolic dysfunction. In order to get a complete evaluation of patients suspected with heart failure, they undergo chest X-ray, an electrocardiogram( ECG) and Echocardiogram.

The initial workup for a patient with suspected heart failure includes lab tests, a chest X-ray, an electrocardiogram (ECG), and an echocardiogram. In addition to this, the Mayo Clinic website cited other tests that may prove helpful such as stress test, coronary catheterization ( angiogram ), MRI or cardiac CT. Each test has a corresponding purpose that may reveal a symptom. For example, an angiogram helps in determining the presence or even the extent of coronary artery disease. The article extensively discussed the stages outlined in the AHA/ACC guidelines.

The first stage which is known as Stage A is a stage that aims to control the condition of the patient by suggesting interventions such as controlling hypertension. Controlling high blood pressure is crucial in preventing heart failure in the long run. Suggestions such as exercising regularly and eating healthy are enforced. The second stage known as stage B presents the condition wherein the patients' disease is progressing slowly. At this stage, patients must already take some medications as part of their therapy.

The most common medicine prescribed is ACE inhibitors that control blood pressure. However, patients with contraindication in the use of ACE can be prescribed with beta-blockers. Stage C conditions are at a higher level since a patient on this stage has already exhibited heart failure symptoms. Additional medicines are prescribed and restriction of sodium intake is emphasized to the patient. The last stage which is Stage D is a critical stage that requires the patient to be hospitalized so vital signs can be monitored.

The occurrence of heart failure or a heart attack is possible at any moment and surgical intervention such as heart transplant is recommended. At this point, exercise is not anymore an option but like other stages, guidelines in Stages A, B, and C are also followed.In conclusion, the article is very helpful to nurses since they can follow the guidelines in explaining to their patients the truth behind their condition. At the same time, the article assists the nurses in identifying the right stage and making appropriate actions that would hopefully improve the condition of the patient.

The best thing about the article is that it is easy-to-understand and very practical. Nurses and nursing students would benefit a lot from reading this article.