Rebuilt HTML — PaddleOCR-VL (Baidu)
Semantic HTML reconstructed from the OCR item tree (headings, text, lists, tables, form fields). overlay · view JSON
Heart Failure Service Information for patients and carers
Why have I been referred?
You have been referred to us for support and management of your heart failure condition. This leaflet provides information on your care, and how to contact us.
You may have been newly diagnosed with heart failure, or the referrer feels that you require a review of your medications to treat the condition, or you may need close monitoring your symptoms.
What is heart failure?
It is a condition where your heart is not working well enough to pump the blood effectively around your body, because it has become weak or stiff.
This can lead to shortness of breath, tiredness, or a build-up of fluid in your body, such as ankles/legs, around your abdomen or lungs.
Heart failure does not mean your heart has stopped working, but you may need medications to help it work better. It is a long-term condition that can get gradually worse over time. It cannot usually be cured, but the symptoms can be well controlled for many years.
Who is in the team?
Our team is made up of specialist nurses, an assistant practitioner, and an administrator. We also work closely with the consultant cardiologists at Homerton Hospital.
What will the team do?
We deliver care with a combination of remote monitoring, face to face clinics in the community or at some GP practices, or home visits for people who are housebound.
When we see you, we will assess your symptoms by taking a history from you and doing a physical examination that will include checking for swelling (oedema), measuring your vital signs and weight.
If we feel you will benefit from medication changes, this will be discussed with you. Your GP will be informed of any changes we make.
What can I do help monitor and manage the condition?
We recommend the following:
- Drink no more than 1.5 litres a day (include all cold and hot drinks, soup, and milk on cereals)
- Do not have more than 6g salt a day.
- Avoid using LoSalt (a salt substitute) as this can be harmful for people taking some heart failure medications.
- monitor weight daily if possible.
- Contact your heart failure nurse if:
your weight goes up by over 1.5kg within a short space of a few days.
you become more breathless.
you notice new or increased leg swelling or feel more bloated.
you need more pillows at night to help you breathe better in bed.
have a new cough.
feel more dizzy or tired than usual.
These may be signs that your heart failure is becoming worse. Please contact the team, or outside office hours please call 111. In an emergency such as severe breathlessness please call 999 or go to A&E.
How do I contact the team? You can call us on 0207 683 4698 or email huh-tr.homertonheartfailure@nhs.net Office hours 9am - 5pm, Mondays to Fridays, excluding bank holidays We are based at St Leonard's Hospital, Nuttall Street, London, N1 5LZ
How can I get more information on my condition? Please call the team if you have any questions. Adult Cardiorespiratory Enhanced and Responsive Service ACERS Community Heart Failure Nurse Specialist Team : 020 7683 4698
Further information You can also find useful information on these websites ⓘ: Pumpingmarvellous.org (A patient-led heart failure charity) British Heart Foundation
British Heart Foundation
⊕: bhf.org.uk
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
PALS can provide information and support to patients and carers and will listen to your concerns, suggestions or queries. The service is available between 9am and 4.30pm. (Telephone) 020 8510 7315 (Textphone) 07584 445 400 (Email) huh-tr.pals.service@nhs.net If you want this information in large print, easy read, plain text, audio or braille please contact Patient Information on 020 8510 5302 or email: huh-tr.patientinformation@nhs.net This information may also be available in other languages. Produced by: Respiratory, IMRS Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Homerton Row, London E9 6SR (Telephone) 020 8510 5555 (Website) www.homerton.nhs.uk @ (Email) huh-tr.enquiries@nhs.net PIPS: 1748LP Date produced: November 2024 V1 Review date: November 2026
If you want this information in large print, easy read, plain text, audio or braille please contact Patient Information on 020 8510 5302 or email: huh-tr.patientinformation@nhs.net This information may also be available in other languages.
Produced by: Respiratory, IMRS Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Homerton Row, London E9 6SR (Telephone) 020 8510 5555 (Website) www.homerton.nhs.uk @ (Email) huh-tr.enquiries@nhs.net PIPS: 1748LP Date produced: November 2024 V1 Review date: November 2026