I had the opportunity to observe for the day with Reshma the heart failure nurse. I learned a great amount about regular medications and the procedures that patients with heart failure have to go through. I understand that pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators are sometimes an option for patients if “pumping action” is below 45-50%. This means that their heart rate is too slow and they may need this device inserted into them as support and backup for the heart.

I was taught the reason why 24-hour ECG devices are used for patients to wear around their necks. This is to check if the heart rate is regular or irregular and is usually used for patients with tachycardia. The heart failure nurse explained that an angiogram is a procedure that is done to check if the patient has any blocks in the heart. To my understanding, this means when the blood vessels are blocked and the heart is unable to pump enough blood around the body/ back to the heart.

I was taught some of the signs of heart failure which were, pericarditis which I understand is inflammation of the heart that can cause shortness of breath and chest pain. Medications such as candesartan, furosemide and dapagliflozin are often prescribed to patients long-term to manage heart failure. GTN sprays are also prescribed to help angina.

Observing and being able to ask the heart failure nurse questions has made me feel more positive in feeling like I have a better understanding of the possible reasons someone could have heart failure. The nurse explained that this could be due to having comorbidities or unhealthy lifestyle choices. Overall I feel like I gained a lot of knowledge and skills about heart failure that I can develop on and take into my career.

I would say that I feel a lot more confident in this speciality.