With cardiovascular diseases affecting a significant amount of Americans, education on medications and conditions is a necessity. It is important that care teams are familiar with regulations and are trained to provide correct medication to residents in assisted living facilities. ETE offers training on medication delegation to educate and equip care teams with knowledge and preventative measures to ensure all residents are receiving high-quality care.
The American Heart Association reports that nearly half of Americans are diagnosed with some type of cardiovascular disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S.1
Common Cardiac Conditions
There is an abundance of cardiac conditions patients can be diagnosed with. Heart disease is the number one killer worldwide. Knowledge of different cardiac conditions can better prepare care teams to provide the best care to residents.
- AFIB: Also known as Atrial Fibrillation, this causes the upper chambers of the heart to beat irregularly. When insufficient blood pumps out of the chambers, blood can collect in the area. This can lead to blood clots which, in turn, limits the blood supply to the brain. This sets the risk of stroke.
- Deep vein thrombosis: DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins in the body, typically the leg. This happens often when a person stays stationary for an extended period of time. For example, a patient is on bed rest. The blood clot can travel to the lungs leading to a pulmonary embolism.
- Pulmonary embolism: PEs occur when a blot clot travels to an artery in the lung. If unnoticed and left untreated, pulmonary embolisms can strain the heart and lead to detrimental results.
- Hypertension: This is high blood pressure that affects the arteries. High blood pressure forces the blood against the artery walls causing stress on the heart by overworking it. Further, overworking the heart can cause heart disease or strokes.
- Hypercholesterolemia: Hypercholesterolemia is a lipid disorder that stems from high cholesterol. High cholesterol causes fat to collect in the arteries. Having this disorder puts the body at a greater chance of having a heart attack.
- Congenital heart disease: Congenital heart disease is a condition that affects the heart starting at birth. There are copious amounts of diagnoses that fall under the category of CHD. The effects of this condition vary in severity. However, it is a lifelong condition that typically needs treatment, even into adulthood.
Medication typically prescribed to patients diagnosed with cardiac conditions
- Anticoagulants: Also known as blood thinners, this medicine is prescribed to decrease clotting in the blood. It does not dissolve clots but rather prevents clots from enlarging.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: This medication widens blood cells and reduces the amount of stress a heart is under.
- Calcium channel blockers: Interrupting the movement of calcium in the heart may lessen heart strain. This medication can achieve that effect and can lower cholesterol.
- Cholesterol-lowering medications: As the name suggests, the goal of this medication is to lower cholesterol in the body. They can affect several areas in the body including the heart and liver.
- Diuretics: These can also be called water pills. Excess liquid can develop in the body and the body often needs assistance with removing this build-up. Diuretics assist the kidneys in this process.
- Vasodilators: Medications such as these dilate blood vessels to prevent arteries or veins from narrowing. Veins carry blood to your heart and by preventing the arteries from narrowing, the heart is able to receive the correct amount of blood.
| Equipping your care team with the knowledge and skills is the cornerstone of safer care. Our free monthly training session, held on the first Tuesday of every month, provides your team with the tools and confidence to help optimize resident well-being within your community. Each session covers critical topics like medication, compliance, safety, and best practices—while empowering your team to ask questions and solve problems. Don’t miss this opportunity to help support your residents’ safety and equip your care team with the knowledge and confidence to provide exceptional care. Sign up for our next training today!Equipping your care team with the knowledge and skills is the cornerstone of safer care. Our free monthly training session, held on the first Tuesday of every month, provides your team with the tools and confidence to help optimize resident well-being within your community. Each session covers critical topics like medication, compliance, safety, and best practices—while empowering your team to ask questions and solve problems. Don’t miss this opportunity to help support your residents’ safety and equip your care team with the knowledge and confidence to provide exceptional care. Sign up for our next training or call (512) 923-1045 to learn about our medication management program today! |
Reference
- American Heart Association News. (2021, November 23). Cardiovascular diseases affect nearly half of American adults, statistics show. www.heart.org. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2019/01/31/cardiovascular-diseases-affect-nearly-half-of-american-adults-statistics-show#:~:text=The%20report%2C%20published%20Thursday%20in,2016%20figures%20%E2%80%93%20have%20cardiovascular%20disease.
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