Think Of Your Heart First

avoidable hospital readmissions. The Think of Your Heart First initiative resulting from Dr. Reeder’s research offers three simple guidelines for patients who are living with heart failure and their families. Patients are encouraged to think of your heart first when they feel changes in their health.

1. Think of your heart first if you have shortness of breath, fatigue, or swelling and weight gain, and report these symptoms to your health care provider.
2. Even if you have other diseases or illnesses that could be causing your symptoms, think of your heart first when you have symptoms, as symptoms of other conditions are often related to your heart.
3. Think of your heart first by recognizing early signs and symptoms, and reporting them to your doctor. Be aware of signs and symptoms such as a cough that won’t go away, upset stomach, nausea or lack of appetite, confusion or altered thinking, and racing or throbbing heart. DISCLAIMER:

This project is supported by the National Institute of Nursing Research of the National Institutes of Health under award number R00NR012217. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Nursing Research.