How to help someone with heart failure

[Dancingdreamer]

MY husband has recently been discharged from hospital following a 2 week stay in hospital where he was treated for kidney failure, heart failure and pneumonia. He has no energy and no appetite. He is losing a lot of weight . My doctor has referred us to a dietitian but I am at a loss as to how to help him. I am frightened I might not notice how bad his condition is and will not get him medical help in time. At times he seems very confused.

[Shabana1974]

Hi. Dancing Dreamer,

Firstly I was diagnosed with severe Heart Failure on the 14th September 2023. My function was 20 to 25% . But with optimal medication it has risen in January 2024 to 32% on last echocadiogram. The term the drs use is an extremely frightening term. I thought my world had ended. But honestly when the medication has taken me out of severe to moderate. The same will be for your husband. I bought a very good finger prob on Amazon

OxiPro OX2 - CE Certified - MHRA Registered Pulse Oximeter/Blood Oxygen Monitor - Finger Oxygen Saturation Monitor/SATS Monitor SpO2 for Adults and Child - UK Approved Medical Device

amzn.eu/d/02Woz0k0

It's good for giving you peace of mind. In the early stages I used it quite alot. But now not used in weeks.

Hope this helps

I am currently on Satpro Diet. It's Run by an NHS hospital in London.

But the Dr has written a book called The Full Diet by Dr Saira Hameed.

Deal: The Full Diet: The revolutionary guide to ditching ultra-processed foods and achieving lasting health amzn.eu/d/0b7kDdZ3

It also as a section in there for clinicians I would read that first then read the rest of the book.

Best wishes

Shabana

[Dancingdreamer in reply to Shabana1974]

Hi,

Thank you so much for your informative response, it has helped me more than you know. I wish you well

[Shabana1974 in reply to Dancingdreamer]

Your welcome, this site is a lifeline when it comes to feeling lost

[sandandkev]

You can get high calorie soups,get on prescription or buy from Tesco's,it's made with boiling water but is only 1/2 mug full so easy to have but full of goodness

[Dancingdreamer in reply to sandandkev]

Hi,

Thank you, this is so helpful

[elliebath]

My sister also has quite severe heart failure and has been in hospital twice this year. She also lost a lot of weight quickly and is frail, no appetite at all, nauseous, being sick. She was on a dozen different meds. But her doc has now taken her off Digoxin, which was causing those symptoms apparently. She can now eat, albeit very small amounts, but feels much better.

[Dancingdreamer in reply to elliebath]

That’s very interesting, thank you. He has a blood test in 2 weeks time so maybe they will do something then

[elliebath in reply to Dancingdreamer]

If he has nausea , feels ultra tired and it is stopping him eating, I would suggest you phone somebody. My sister's GP did not pick up the connection, just prescribed anti-sickness pills. But her son rang the Heart Failure Clinic at the local hospital and they called her in. Long story short, she was kept in overnight, very thoroughly tested, and the Digoxin withdrawn.

[Dancingdreamer in reply to elliebath]

Thank you, I will give that a try

[Jedi14]

Just want to know about the kidney failure first, is he on dialysis then?

[Dancingdreamer in reply to Jedi14]

No, they stopped all of his medication and pumped him full of fluids. They managed to improve his kidney function but the result was his heart was unable to cope and he now has severe heart failure.

[Jedi14]

This must be a very confusing time for all, most of all your husband! His body is undergoing several changes and will need time to adjust to the meds and to heal also. So what did the dietician say?

I would'nt worry too much if he can't each much right now, but he must get plenty of rest. Let us know when he's more settled. Thanks.