Common Cardiac Conditions

Condition Signs & Symptoms How You Can Help . . .
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
  • Fatigue 
  • Dyspnea 
  • Sudden weight gain
  • Edema
  • Check daily weight 
  • Monitor vital signs closely 
  • Record strict I & O
  • Plan for rest and breaks
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
  • Rubbing the left or middle of the chest. 
  • Complaining of pain in the left arm, neck or left side of the jaw. 
  • Sweating.
  • Pale skin.
  • Feeling dizzy.
  • Having trouble breathing.
Medication—Clients with angina will have a medication called nitroglycerin. In facilities, alert the nurse of the symptoms right away so medication can be dispensed. In home care, you are not allowed to “give” any medications.  But, it may be helpful for you to go and get your client’s medication so he or she can take it. 
Heart Attack
  • Pain, pressure, fullness, or squeezing in the center of the chest—the pain lasts more than a few minutes and does not go away with rest.  
  • Pain in shoulders, neck or arms. 
  • Feeling dizzy, sweaty, weak or short of breath.
  • Nausea (feeling the need to vomit).
It’s critical for a
heart attack victim
to get to the hospital
right away.
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Hypertension is called the “Silent Killer” because there are usually no early symptoms!  Later, there may be:
  • Headaches
  • Heart palpitations
  • Dizziness
  • Nose bleeds
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Fatigue
  • Know the ranges for normal, high normal and high blood pressure and how to report readings that are out of range. 
  • Help your client eat a healthy, low fat diet and to get some for of exercise every day.
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