Hi guys, in our life rest and sleep are very important. Rest and sleep are of fundamental importance in the management of every patient with cardiac failure. However, in the past rest has often been abused. Unnecessarily prolonged confinement to bed is harmful as will be explained below. When signs of heart failure are first manifest complete rest in bed should be enforced until treatment has resulted in the maximal benefit which can be obtained. Thereafter the return to activity must be graduated and it will become apparent how much rest during the day and how much general restriction of exertion is required to prevent further failure. There should be no fixed rules such as the six weeks in bed formerly advised following myocardial infarction. Each case must be assessed on its merits. The use of sedatives and hypnotic drugs for allaying restlessness and anxiety and for inducing sleep is discussed in our post.
When breathlessness is extreme the patient is compelled to sit up. The vital capacity in increased in this position and on occasion it will be found that sitting in a chair is more comfortable than sitting up in bed. Moreover, the central venous pressure is increased in the recumbent posture and this adds to the work of the heart. Confinement to bed necessitates the use of the bed pan, but this may be a considerably greater strain than a bedside commode which should be used whenever possible. In bed the circulation rate is slowed and the risk of venous thrombosis and its attendant dangers is increased. Finally hypostasis in the lungs predisposes to pneumonia. Bye guys...
When breathlessness is extreme the patient is compelled to sit up. The vital capacity in increased in this position and on occasion it will be found that sitting in a chair is more comfortable than sitting up in bed. Moreover, the central venous pressure is increased in the recumbent posture and this adds to the work of the heart. Confinement to bed necessitates the use of the bed pan, but this may be a considerably greater strain than a bedside commode which should be used whenever possible. In bed the circulation rate is slowed and the risk of venous thrombosis and its attendant dangers is increased. Finally hypostasis in the lungs predisposes to pneumonia. Bye guys...
