Heart Month–February 2021

Heart Disease and Hospice Care

When is Hospice Care Appropriate
for Patients With Heart Disease?

You may be familiar with some of the symptoms of heart disease, but some of the lesser-known symptoms may surprise you.

Symptoms of heart disease include:

Fatigue/weakness
Shortness of breath
Weight gain
Swelling in the legs and feet, belly, or lower back
Cough
Difficulty breathing when lying down
Inability to sleep comfortably without several pillows
Increased heart rate or palpitations
Loss of appetite

For a patient suffering from heart disease, there are several circumstances when hospice becomes the appropriate path for care and comfort.

Hospice care is appropriate when:

The patient has advanced congestive heart failure or advanced coronary disease with frequent episodes of angina (chest pain resulting from an insufficient supply of blood and oxygen to the heart).
The patient has an abnormal heart (because of underlying disease) and suffers significant symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath, or functional decline.
Optimal treatment for the patient’s condition has already been provided and he or she is not a candidate for further surgical or medical intervention.
The patient has tried optimal treatment(s) and made the personal choice not to pursue any further specialized treatment.

For more information on heart disease and hospice care, contact us today. If you are wondering if the time has come to choose hospice care for yourself or your loved one, Brighton Hospice is ready to answer your questions and assist in any way we can.