Heart failure is the heart’s inability to pump blood effectively, leading to fluid backup in lungs and peripheral tissues. Prompt first aid focuses on easing symptoms and preventing deterioration until professional care arrives.
There are three types of heart failure:
- Left-sided heart failure: Left-sided heart failure is the most common type of heart failure. In this kind, the heart’s left ventricle doesn’t pump enough blood around the patient’s body. It is further divided into two types, namely, systolic failure and diastolic failure.
- Right-sided heart failure: When a person has right-sided heart failure, their heart’s right ventricle is weakened, thereby making it inefficient to pump the required amount of blood to the patient’s lungs.
- Congestive heart failure: In congestive heart failure, there is a backup of the blood returning to the heart through the patient’s veins once the blood flowing out of the heart slows down. This leads to congestion in the tissues of the body.
Signs & Symptoms
- Shortness of breath or rapid, labored breathing
- Persistent coughing or wheezing, possibly with frothy sputum
- Swelling in ankles, feet, or abdomen (edema)
- Fatigue, weakness, or confusion
- Anxiety, pale or clammy skin
When to Call Emergency Services
Seek immediate medical aid if any of the following occur:
- Symptoms worsen rapidly or suddenly onset
- Difficulty breathing at rest or when lying flat
- Chest pain, fainting, or loss of consciousness
- Severe swelling in legs or abdomen
- Bluish lips or fingernails (cyanosis)
First Aid Steps
- Assess Responsiveness
- If the person is unconscious, place them in the lateral (recovery) position, check airway, breathing, and pulse, and begin CPR or expired-air resuscitation if needed.
- Upright Positioning
- If conscious, help them sit upright with legs dangling to reduce venous return and ease breathing.
- Loosen Tight Clothing
- Loosen collars, belts, and waistbands to improve comfort and circulation.
- Call for Help
- Dial emergency services immediately or instruct a bystander to call while you stay with the patient.
- Monitor Vital Signs
- Check respiratory rate, pulse, and level of consciousness every 5 minutes.
- Administer Prescribed Medications
- If the patient has nitroglycerin for chest discomfort, assist them in taking one dose under the tongue, unless contraindicated (e.g., low blood pressure).
- Oxygen Therapy (If Available)
- Provide gentle supplemental oxygen via mask or nasal cannula to maintain SpO₂ ≥94%.
- Reassure and Comfort
- Keep the person calm, cover with a blanket, and avoid giving food or drink.
Do’s and Don’ts
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Keep the patient calm and seated upright | Lay the patient flat on their back |
| Loosen restrictive clothing | Force fluids or food if they feel nauseated |
| Monitor airway, breathing, and circulation status | Attempt to forcefully realign limbs |
| Administer prescribed nitroglycerin cautiously | Delay calling emergency services |
| Stay with the patient until EMS arrives | Give unprescribed medications |
Prevention
As far as living with heart failure is concerned, there are some tips and tricks that make it easier for the patient to stay as healthy as possible.
Before we get to those pointers, it’s vital to remember that certain food items should be avoided so as to not risk aggravating the condition of heart failure. Those food items include:
- Too much salt/sodium
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Processed foods
- Highly processed grains
Since there is no cure for heart failure, there are certain lifestyle changes you can make and a few things you can keep in mind in order to keep the symptoms under control. They are as follows:
- Give up smoking. When a person smokes, it increases their blood pressure and heart rate, thereby reducing the circulation of oxygen-rich blood.
- Lose weight and also maintain a healthy body weight. Make sure to check your weight at the same time every morning and keep track of your weight in case it increases drastically.
- Limit the intake of fluids. This is because heart failure causes the body to retain fluids. Consult your doctor regarding this matter.
- If you drink alcohol, be sure to do so only in moderation or give it up completely.
- Avoid caffeine, and if you do consume it, limit it to a maximum of one or two cups a day.
- Stick to a healthy diet filled with fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy products, legumes, Nuts, Whole grains etc.
- Manage your stress levels.
- Monitor your blood pressure levels at home, especially if you suffer from high blood pressure or hypertension.
REFERENCES
- Ann Pietrangelo, 10 Self-Care Tips for Heart Failure, Published on January 02, 2025, https://www.verywellhealth.com/heart-failure-self-care-8731610
- Chrysohoou C, Mantzouranis E, Dimitroglou Y, Mavroudis A, Tsioufis K. Fluid and salt balance and the role of nutrition in heart failure. Nutrients. 2022;14(7):1386. doi:10.3390/nu14071386
- Grubb AF, Green SJ, Fudim M, Dewald T, Mentz RJ. Drugs of abuse and heart failure. J Card Fail. 2021;27(11):1260-1275. doi:10.1016/j.cardfail.2021.05.023
- Tamis-Holland JE, et al. Contemporary diagnosis and management of patients with myocardial infarction in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation; 2019.
- Heart attack. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-attack/symptoms-causes/syc-20373106.
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