West Visayas State University
COLLEGE OF NURSING
La Paz,
Iloilo City
DISCHARGE PLAN
M=Medications
1. Take the prescribed medications as ordered by the physician
A. ACE inhibitors
Rationale: ACE inhibitors relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure and
makes it easier for the heart to pump blood.
B. Beta blockers
Rationale: Help slow the heart rate (how fast the heart beats) and help reduce
blood pressure.
C. Digitalis (digoxin)
Rationale: Sometimes used to strengthen the heart’s pumping action.
D. Diuretics
Rationale: Cause the body to rid itself of excess fluids and salt, help reduce the
work the heart has to do, decrease the buildup of fluid in the lungs and other
parts of the body, such as the ankles and legs.
Reference: American Heart Association
2. Keep a list of all medications taken (including prescription and over-the-
counter drugs, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies). Bring this list it to all
medical appointments. Also show it to the pharmacist when purchasing over-the-
counter remedies.
Reference: American Heart Association
3. Refill your medications with plenty of time before they run out.
Reference: American Heart Association
E= Exercises
1. Start slowly—don’t overdo it.
2. Choose activities to enjoy. Pick a start date that fits the schedule and gives
enough time to begin the program. Walking is a great way to get started
3. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
4. Try to exercise at the same time each day so it becomes a regular part of
lifestyle.
5. Drink water before, during and after each exercise session.
6. Use the buddy system. Ask a friend to start a program together.
7. Note the days the exercise has started and write down the distance or length
of time of workout and how you feel after each session.
8. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-
intensity aerobic exercise each week. Add muscle-strengthening exercise on at
least 2 days a week.
Rationale: It also helps reduce or manage other risk factors—high blood
pressure, high cholesterol, excess weight and diabetes. But the benefits don’t
stop there. You may look and feel better, become stronger and more flexible,
have more energy, and reduce stress and tension.
Reference: American Heart Association
T= Treatment
1. To lose weight, you must take in fewer calories than you use through normal
metabolism and physical activity. It’s a matter of:
• Watching what you eat.
• Choosing nutritious foods.
• Following an overall healthy diet pattern.
• Getting and staying physically active
2. Stay at a healthy weight.
Rationale: Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight can be a challenge. Be
assured, you are not alone. There is no magic weight-loss formula that works for
everyone. The key is to find a plan that works for you and provides the right
balance of calories and nutrition with the appropriate amounts of physical activity.
Reference: American Heart Association
H=Health Teachings
1. Manage stress well.
2. Taking steps to manage stress will help you feel more in control of your life.
Here are some good ways to cope.
• Try positive self-talk—turning negative thoughts into positive ones. For
example, rather than thinking “I can’t do this,” say “I’ll do the best I can.”
• Take 15 to 20 minutes a day to sit quietly, relax, breathe deeply and think of
something peaceful.
• Engage in physical activity regularly. Do what you enjoy— walk, swim, ride a
bike or do yoga. Letting go of the tension in your body will help you feel a lot
better. • Try to do at least one thing every day that you enjoy, even if you only do
it for 15 minutes.
Rationale: It’s important to learn how to recognize how stress affects you, learn
how to deal with it, and develop healthy habits to ease your stress.
Reference: American Heart Association
3. Following recommendations about diet, exercise and other habits can help
alleviate heart failure symptoms, slow your disease’s progression and improve
your everyday life.
Rationale: Lifestyle changes are worth making Making some of these lifestyle
changes can be easier said than done. But working these changes into your daily
routine can make a real difference in your quality of life.
Reference: American Heart Association
O= Out patient follow-up
1. Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as advised. Make sure to keep any
appointments that were made for you.
Rationale: These can help better control your congestive heart failure. You will
need to follow up with your provider on a routine basis to make sure your heart
failure is well managed. Studies have proven that early follow up with patients
significantly reduces readmission rates and improves overall quality of life for the
patient.
Reference: Left- or Right- Side Congestive Heart Failure. (n.d.).
Www.Fairview.org.
https://www.fairview.org/sitecore/content/Fairview/Home/Patient-
Education/Articles/English/l/e/f/t/o/Left_or_Right_Side_Congestive_Heart_
Failure_115852en
D=Diet
1. Patients with heart failure typically need to restrict sodium intake.
2. Always look for “low-salt” or “low-sodium” labels on cans and packages. This
label means the food has 140 milligrams or less sodium per serving.
Rationale: Sodium increases fluid retention, which increases blood pressure and
puts a greater strain on the heart. It also increases fluid buildup, leading to
swelling in the legs and feet and shortness of breath.
Reference: American Heart Association
3. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
4. Eat poultry, fish, and nuts and limit red meat.
5. Limit how much saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and sodium are in the
food you eat.
Reference: American Heart Association
S= Spirituality/Sexuality
1. Many people with heart failure can still be sexually active. Choose a time when
you’re feeling rested and free from the day’s stresses.
2. Stay connected to one’s self and spiritual activities.
Rationale: Spirituality does help heart failure patients do better, says Paul J.
Mills, PhD, professor of family medicine and public health at the University of
California San Diego School of Medicine, who has researched the topic.
Spirituality leads to gratitude.
Reference: Spirituality Helps Patients With Heart Failure Fare Better | Everyday
Health. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com.
https://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-failure/living-with/spirituality-helps-
patients-with-heart-failure-fare-better/
