We provide in-home care for Michigan residents with Congestive Heart Failure. When providing care for individuals with Congestive Heart Failure it is important that the caregiver be able to recognize symptoms of CHF and provide support. Compassionate Care caregivers are all provided with specialized training so they are able to care properly for individuals with CHF.

Treating Congestive Heart Failure

Unfortunately there is no quick cure for Congestive Heart Failure. However, there are steps that an individual can take to manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life when living with Congestive Heart Failure. It is the role of the caregiver to support them in managing his/her CHF. Here are some tips:

• Encourage the individual to stop smoking. Smoking damages the blood vessels and makes the heart beat faster.
• Encourage the individual to limit sodium intake. Too much sodium leads to fluid retention which makes the heart work harder.
• Encourage the individual to limit fats and cholesterol.
• Encourage the individual to avoid alcohol.
• Remind the individual to follow fluid restriction orders as recommended by his/her physician.
• Encourage the individual to exercise as ordered by his/her physician.
• Encourage stress management and good sleeping habits.

For individuals with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) the heart struggles to pump enough blood to keep up with the needs of the body. Conditions such as coronary artery disease (narrowing of the arteries) and high blood pressure can eventually leave the heart too weak and stiff to pump efficiently. This allows the blood to back up or become congested. If the blood backs up into the lungs, the individual will become short of breath. If the blood backs up into the abdomen, legs and feet; the individual will have swelling.