How to Care for Patients with Heart Disease

6 Tips for Family and Professional Caregivers

Being diagnosed with heart disease changes your life. Caregivers aren’t just providing health care, but emotional and physical support as well. It can be both fulfilling and stressful.

Here are some tips to help you better care for patients with heart disease.

1 | Following a Diet

The patient’s health care plan will most likely include diet changes. Each heart disease patient’s needs are different, so each plan will be unique to them. Generally, it will be a low sodium, low fat diet with more lean meats, fruits, and veggies. Encourage the patient to follow their diet plan and to indulge wisely.?

2 | Getting Exercise

Physical activity improves cardiovascular health. Newly diagnosed patients should start slow with realistic goals, such as 30 minutes most days of the week. It’s best to switch days between aerobic and strength exercises. For strength training, more repetitions are better than struggling with heavy weights. Family caregivers are encouraged to support their loved one by making exercise a team effort.?

3 | Taking Medications

Caregivers should not take on the primary role of managing medications, if possible. Instead, they should take on the role of encouraging and assisting the patient to stay on track and not run out of medication. Professional caregivers should be sure to educate patients and their family as to why medication is important. They should also make sure that when a new medication is prescribed, it does not interfere with other medications the patient is already on.

4 | Learn the Warning Signs

Heart disease patients are often reluctant to speak up or see a doctor when their symptoms reemerge, such as new chest discomfort, dizziness, or leg swelling. Caregivers should encourage the patient to bring their concerns to their care team.?

Caregivers, both family and professional ones, should also know the warning signs of a possible heart attack. For a heart attack, this can include shortness of breath (including waking up at night being short of breath), indigestion, or pain between the shoulder blades. For arrhythmia, this can be increased fatigue and shortness of breath.

?In an emergency, never hesitate to call 911.?

5 | Listen to the Patient

Emotional support is a key part of health support, so be sure to listen to the patient. Sometimes they just need a shoulder to cry on. Family caregivers should encourage the patient to speak to a counselor or therapist, especially if one is part of their professional care team. Talking about how they feel can help alleviate a lot of anxiety and depression that would otherwise have negative consequences on their heart health.?

6 | Take Care of Yourself

As a caregiver, it can be easy to set your own needs aside as you care for a patient or loved one. However, it is important to remember that you can provide better care for someone else when you are in your best condition. So make sure that you are eating healthy, exercising, seeing your own doctor, and taking care of your own mental health to avoid caregiver burnout. If you are a family caregiver, take advantage of respite care, which allows you time to take care of your needs while a professional caregiver supports your loved one.?

Key Takeaways

Heart disease is life changing for the patient and their family. Providing care and support for someone with heart disease can take time and understanding. Remember that you don’t need to do it all on your own! Professional caregivers have a team to rely on and family caregivers can rely on professional caregivers for help when needed. It is especially important for caregivers to avoid burnout by accepting help from others.?

A Professional Care Team with Heart

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