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Backus offers support for heart failure patients

Meeting others with congestive heart failure and learning about treatments can help patients feel less isolated and be more proactive in their own care.

On Feb. 14, the second meeting of the Backus Hospital’s CHF support group will focus on medications, identifying why patients are taking them, side effects and possible drug interactions. February is National Heart Health Month, sponsored by the American Heart Association.

If you are older than 40, your chances of developing congestive heart failure are one in five. CHF is a condition in which the heart can’t pump enough blood to the body’s other organs. The “failing” heart keeps working, but not as efficiently as it should. Heart failure also affects the kidneys’ ability to dispose of sodium and water.

Aimee Stefanski, an APRN at Backus Hospital, facilitates the CHF support group for patients and families, which is on the second Wednesday of each month from 6-7 p.m. Discussion this month will include medications such as beta blockers, ACE inhibitors and diuretics.

“These are medications they are probably already on,” Ms. Stefanski said. “We will talk about why their doctor might increase the dosage even though they feel all right, what these specific medications do, and side effects to watch out for.”

ACE inhibitors and beta blockers can lower blood pressure and help to strengthen hear muscles. Diuretics help with the symptoms of heart failure, she said.

Upcoming programs include:

• March: Nutrition and diet.
• April: Alternative medical approaches: Meditation, vitamins and supplements, yoga, relaxation techniques.
• May: End of life issues: Hospice.
• June: Exercise and heart failure.
• July: Cardiac testing in heart failure.
• August: When to call your doctor.
• September: Medications in heart failure: Digoxin, ACE/ARB, Aldactone.
• October: Devices in heart failure: Pacemakers, defibrillators.
• November: Transplant: Who, how and why.
• December: Holiday party.

Registration is not required for this free program. Call 823-6577 for more information.