Literature, Review

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Patients between the ages of eighteen and forty-five who are diagnosed with heart failure and admitted to Inova Fairfax Hospital

Chronic heart failure is a condition that occurs when patients' hearts do not perform their primary role of pumping blood adequately resulting in a build of blood and fluids developing in the chest cavity, hence triggering breathing problems (Choi et al., 2019). Reportedly, over 6 million individuals aged between the ages of 18 and 45 have heart failure (Koshy et al., 2020). Patients with the condition usually manifest severe clinical manifestations such as breathing difficulties when physically active or when they are in a sleeping position (Koshy et al., 2020). Also, they often feel lethargic and have challenges engaging in physical exertions (Real et al., 2018). Their lower extremities, especially the legs, ankles, and feet, often become swollen (Koshy et al., 2020). In addition, they may have a persistent cough that produces sputum tinged with blood (Chaplin, 2019). The grave symptoms of the condition lower the quality of the patients' lives and reduce their ability to engage in their daily living activities effectively (Brennan 2018).

Studies show that medication alone cannot sufficiently improve the condition of patients with chronic heart failure (Brennan, 2018). Evidently, it is necessary to eliminate the factors predisposing the affected patient to the condition (Choi et al., 2019). According to Chaplin (2019), the elements that predispose individuals to chronic heart failure include poor cardiovascular function, consumption of harmful substances such as alcoholic beverages, smoking, and being obese. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate measures that safeguard patients from future affectation with the condition.

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Adjunctive therapy with medications and lifestyle changes

Studies have shown that combining medications and lifestyle changes elicits positive outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure (Chaplin, 2019). On one hand, medications used in treating chronic heart failure include ACE inhibitors like captopril and beta-blockers like carvedilol, and diuretics like frusemide (Koshy et al., 2020).

The use of medication only in the treatment of the condition does not address the root cause of the ailment, increasing the possibility of the patient contracting it in the future (Choi et al., 2019).

On the other hand, lifestyle changes that should be incorporated into the care plan of patients with chronic heart failure include eating a balanced diet (Chaplin, 2019) with plenty of fruits and vegetables and avoiding fatty foods and those with high cholesterol levels (Koshy et al., 2020) in addition to exercising regularly (Real et al., 2018).

Regular exercising plays a vital role in managing patients with chronic heart failure because it helps control their weight, hence preventing them from being overweight (Brennan, 2018). In addition, it helps in regulating the heart rate of the patients (Choi et al., 2018). Other vital lifestyle changes recommended for patients with chronic heart failure include avoiding potentially harmful habits (Brennan, 2018). These habits include drinking alcoholic beverages excessively (Chaplin, 2019). Also, it includes refraining from smoking tobacco products which escalate the heart rate and increase the chances of developing a medical crisis (Koshy et al., 2020)

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Medications only

Medication plays a significant role in the care of patients with chronic heart failure because it reduces the patients' blood pressure (Koshy et al., 2020). As a result, their hearts perform their function of pumping blood effectively, reducing the accumulation of blood and fluids in the lung cavity, which is a maladaptive response associated with chronic heart failure (Real et al., 2018).

According to Real et al., (2018), the primary causes of chronic heart failure include obesity, excessive consumption of alcoholic drinks, smoking, diabetes, and poor cardiac function. Therefore, while medication rectifies patients' heart function, it does not eliminate other causes of the ailment, increasing the possibility of patients contracting the condition in the future (Koshy et al., 2020).

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Improve cardiac functional level

Improving patients' cardiac function is a significant aspect that comprises positive outcomes such as reducing the clinical manifestations that patients present with such as difficulty in breathing and swelling of the lower extremities (Koshy et al., 2020). The outcome of combining medications and lifestyle changes in treating chronic heart ailments is a significant improvement in cardiac functionality level (Choi et al., 2019). This subsequently leads to a reduction in the chances of those ailing from chronic heart failure from developing other complications such as stroke (Real et al., 2018). This further, eliminates the condition's root causes, hence ensuring improvement in the patient's health and well-being (Brennan, 2018).

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6-month period

Six months is an adequate duration for the results of the applied intervention to be apparent in the patients (Koshy et al., 2020). This is because the effects of the lifestyle modification that will be incorporated into the patient's care will be felt (Choi et al., 2019). For example, the outcomes of the patients exercising regularly will be seen in changes in their weight (Real et al., 2018). Subsequently, the effects of the patient’s dietary consumption will be evident in the changes in his body weight (Chaplin, 2019). Therefore, in six months, it will be possible whether the selected intervention has positive effects on the health and well-being of the patients (Brennan, 2018).