Mahaska Health Partnership to host FREE Heart Failure Workshop
Mahaska Health Partnership
OSKALOOSA – Do you or a loved one have congestive heart failure? Do you live with or care for someone with congestive heart failure? If so, you should attend Mahaska Health Partnership’s Free Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Workshop on Saturday, March 12.
The workshop, being offered on MHP’s campus in Oskaloosa from 9 a.m. to Noon, will benefit anyone affected by congestive heart failure. Area medical professionals including David North, MD; Family Nurse Practitioner Melissa Lamb, ARNP; Adult Nurse Practitioner Lisa Nelson, ARNP; and Registered Dietitian Lea Rice, will discuss current treatments for CHF, living a full life with CHF and embracing a low sodium diet.
A diagnosis of CHF means the heart is not able to pump sufficient blood to other organs. This can result from many conditions including coronary artery disease, past heart attack and high blood pressure among others. Heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped beating, it simply means the heart is not able to pump as forcefully to supply ample amounts of blood and oxygen to the rest of the body.
According to the American Heart Association, about five million Americans are living with CHF today and it is the most common reason people age 65 and older go to the hospital. Symptoms of CHF can include shortness of breath, feeling tired, swelling in the feet, ankles and legs, weight gain due to fluid build-up and confusion or an inability to think clearly. Dr. David North explained that the treatment of CHF usually requires rest, proper diet, modified daily activities and sometimes prescription medication.
“People living with uncontrolled congestive heart failure can’t exert themselves because they become short of breath and tired,” Dr. North said. “However, if they make healthy changes in their lifestyle and diet, they can feel a lot better and enjoy life a lot more.
“Our goal with this workshop is to help people with a diagnosis of heart failure as well as those people living with or caring for them to understand simple changes that can be made to enhance their everyday life,” Dr. North said. “If you have a history of heart disease, speak with your primary care provider about your risk factors.”
The Free Congestive Heart Failure Workshop will be held in the Cedar Bluff Learning Center (use entrance #3), on the MHP Campus in Oskaloosa. Please bring all prescription and over-the-counter medication you are currently taking. Pre-registration is required and can be made by calling 641-672-3100.
