Private nurse Maria Dragsbæk Feldt believes that many people can live a long time with heart failure problems if they treat them early.
You may feel a bit tired and breathless. But you blame it on working too much. Until the day you collapse at the lunch table.
Heart failure problems often start small and grow big over time. If something had been done earlier, it could have been done relatively easily
Maria has been a nurse for 12 years, including as a cardiology nurse at Frederikssund and Roskilde hospitals. Today she is a private nurse at Privat Sygeplejerske ApS and a personal trainer for heart failure patients.
Difference in symptoms in men and women
The first symptoms of heart failure are often difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, chest pain, and nausea. But symptoms can vary from men to women.
It is typically men who do not respond to shortness of breath and chest tightness. But women can also have reactions like back pain and chest pain that they don't see as heart failure
It can be a sign of a small blood clot in the heart – and that could have been dealt with quickly. If it is allowed to develop, it can lead to a reduction in the heart’s pumping function. That is far more dangerous.
The different stages of heart failure
Maria Dragsbæk Feldt will be able to see both if heart failure is present and how advanced it is.
“I see how much it affects their daily lives and what they can cope with. Do they get out of breath from running, getting up from the couch, or just from sitting on the couch?” Maria says.
However, it can be difficult to assess the transition between the different stages yourself – so it’s always best to have a doctor or nurse have a look. Fortunately, many heart failure patients live longer, but more end up dying from it.
What you can do
You can do a lot yourself to prevent heart failure and better live with it if you do get it. This is where exercise and healthy food help. If you have heart problems, cholesterol-lowering, blood pressure-lowering, and blood-thinning medicines can help you avoid cardiovascular disease.
Good advices
Maria Dragsbæk Feldt has the experience that you can do a lot yourself to prevent heart failure and better live with it if you do get it. Here is Maria Feldt’s advice on how you can help prevent heart failure and live better with the disease.
- Talk to a healthcare professional if you have repeated symptoms of heart failure.
- Exercise regularly
- Eat healthy
- Create a good sleep pattern and environment for your sleep
Read also how Privat Sygeplejerske ApS can help you through your course of disease, and what different nursing care services we offer. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
