Problems Experienced in the First Month After Discharge From a Heart Failure-Related Hospitalization

Abstract

Part of the Cardiology Commons, Cardiovascular Diseases Commons, Cardiovascular System Commons, and the Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Commons Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews (JPCRR) is a peerreviewed scientific journal whose mission is to communicate clinical and bench research findings, with the goal of improving the quality of human health, the care of the individual patient, and the care of populations.

Problems Experienced in the Second and Third Months After Discharge From a Heart Failure-Related Hospitalization

“…2 Research indicates IHF experience various problems during the first month after a HF hospitalization. 3 Multiple HF symptoms (eg, fatigue, dyspnea on exertion, edema) 4-5 and a multifaceted treatment regimen (eg, numerous medications, a low sodium diet, and daily weights) often impact activities of daily living and self-care. 6 IHF experience psychosocial problems (eg, depressive and negative emotions and moods) as well as financial issues.…”

“…6 IHF experience psychosocial problems (eg, depressive and negative emotions and moods) as well as financial issues. 3 Inadequate social support, 7 social isolation, 8 and diminished relationships with family members also are problematic. 3 Yet, little is known about whether these problems change over time.…”

“…Detailed description of the parent study has been published elsewhere. 3,9 Hereafter, information pertinent to the current study methods is presented.…”

“…The problem HF symptoms was now the second highest priority, with similar symptoms (eg, extreme fatigue) experienced as in the first month. 3 However, heat intolerance was now a significant issue, particularly when exercising during the summer months. Some IHF complained of dizziness/lightheadedness in relation to activity and heat exposure.…”

Patient Self-Management: Tools and Barriers

“…A recent qualitative study of weight management in African American type 2 diabetics (of whom 10 of 12 were women) indicated that social support was the "most effective strategy for weight management when problems, stress, and challenges occur." 15 Heart failure (HF) is another chronic disease for which patient self-management is deemed important, 16,17 although a recent meta-analysis reported that no single intervention program characteristic could have an impact on all common clinical endpoints, nor was any program characteristic clearly associated with better outcomes of HF self-management interventions. 18 Following up a previous publication, 19 Grant and Graven add to this theme issue with a mixed-methods study of patient experiences in months 2 and 3 following hospitalization for HF.…”