Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 17, 2025
05:16
Cutoff Value of Phase Angle by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis at Admission as a Prognostic Factor in Patients with Acute Heart Failure
Published on: June 10, 2025
396
Readmitted Patients With Heart Failure Sick, Tired, and Symptomatic: A Qualitative Descriptive Study From a
The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
|February 16, 2021
Summary
Patients with heart failure (HF) often experience unavoidable illness progression leading to hospital readmission. Understanding their symptoms and daily experiences is key to addressing this challenge.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Patient Experience Research
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Heart failure (HF) readmissions are a growing concern.
- A deeper understanding of patient perspectives is needed to address readmissions.
- Current strategies may not fully account for patient experiences post-discharge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore patient perspectives on discharge instructions after heart failure hospitalization.
- To understand patient experiences and symptom perception leading to early readmission.
- To identify factors contributing to readmission from the patient's viewpoint.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative descriptive study utilizing semistructured interviews.
- Interviewed 22 patients previously hospitalized for heart failure.
- Focused on patient understanding of discharge instructions and symptom experience at home.
Main Results:
- A dominant theme of patients being "sick, tired, and symptomatic" emerged.
- Discharge instructions were generally perceived as clear and understandable.
- Patients described detailed physical and emotional symptoms preceding readmission.
- Daily activities and the distinction between "good" and "bad" days were reported.
- Symptom exacerbation was a direct precursor to readmission.
Conclusions:
- Patients with advanced heart failure, often with multimorbidities and on home inotropes, face unavoidable illness progression.
- Findings highlight the complexity of managing severely ill heart failure patients.
- Patient-reported symptoms and daily experiences are critical in understanding readmission drivers.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation
134
Heart failure can be classified in various ways, with the most common classifications based on physical activity limitations, disease progression, severity, and treatment strategies.The Functional Classification of Heart Failure divides patients into four categories based on physical activity limitation due to symptom burden.Class I: Patients in this class have cardiac disease but no physical activity limitations. Ordinary activities like walking, climbing stairs, or routine tasks do not cause...
134
01:30Heart Failure V: Medical Management
89
Medical Management of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)The primary goals of therapy for patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) include:Relieving symptomsOptimizing volume statusSupporting oxygenation and ventilationMaintaining cardiac output (CO) and end-organ perfusionIdentifying and addressing the cause of ADHFPreventing complicationsProviding patient education on factors precipitating HF exacerbationPlanning for dischargeOngoing monitoring and assessment...
89
01:30Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions
242
The first step in nursing management of a patient with heart failure involves thoroughly assessing the patient's medical history.Subjective Data: Obtain the patient's medical history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, myocardial infarction, and symptoms like dyspnea, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.Objective Data: Conduct a physical examination to identify findings such as jugular vein distention, pulmonary crackles, tachycardia, murmurs, peripheral edema, and vital signs,...
242
01:26Heart Failure III: Clinical Manifestations
149
Heart failure (HF) manifests primarily as dyspnea, fatigue, and fluid retention, resulting in peripheral and pulmonary edema. Symptoms may vary depending on which ventricle is more affected, left or right.Left-Sided Heart FailureAlso known as left ventricular failure, this condition results from the left ventricle's inability to fill or eject sufficient blood into the systemic circulation. It leads to pulmonary congestion, which occurs when the left ventricle fails to eject blood effectively...
149
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
90
Diagnosing acute coronary syndrome or ACS begins with a thorough patient history. Notable symptoms include central, crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm, neck, jaw, or back, along with shortness of breath, sweating (diaphoresis), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and palpitations.It is crucial to note any history of cardiac illnesses and assess risk factors, including age, gender, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and a sedentary lifestyle.During physical examination, vital...
90
01:22Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies
107
Additional therapies for treating patients with heart failure (HF) may include procedural interventions, supplemental oxygen, the management of sleep disorders, and nutritional therapy.Procedural InterventionsImplantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: For patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to severe left ventricular dysfunction, an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) can detect and terminate these arrhythmias, preventing sudden cardiac death and improving survival rates.
107