Telemonitoring Vital Information––

Congestive Heart Failure Needs Daily Vigilance

By Dottie Evans

We all know the drill –– a good diet and weight control in combination with regular exercise are the best medicines to maintain a healthy circulatory system and a strong heart.

But for those who already suffer from chronic heart disease, especially the condition known as congestive heart failure, there is a new regimen that the Connecticut VNA (Visiting Nurses Association) is promoting that will help monitor a person’s daily weight and blood pressure and may provide life-saving information to medical specialists in a most timely way.

The program known as LifeLink Monitoring was introduced to local residents at the Newtown Senior Center on Tuesday, February 17, by Connecticut VNA Supervisor of Clinical Services Gail Abernethy, RN. After Ms Abernethy demonstrated the equipment and answered questions, several seniors stepped forward to undergo screening and try out the LifeLink monitoring equipment for themselves.

“That was pretty easy, wasn’t it,” said Marilyn Place, Director of the Office of Senior Services, as she led the way.

The LifeLink equipment includes a blood pressure reading device and a floor scale, both provided for a patient’s use at home and both connected to the Internet through the home phone system. The machine also provides simple voice prompting and audible health reminders to guide the patient.

“While you are taking the readings by yourself and the machine is on, your phone is temporarily bypassed –– the same way as if you had call-waiting or your computer were hooked up to a modem and you had gone online,” explained Ms Abernethy.

“As soon as you’ve completed the tests and the data is in,” she said, “the phone is back in service.”

She explained that only those who have been given a primary diagnosis of congestive heart failure, or have been acutely ill and hospitalized for this condition, would be eligible for the free use of the LifeLink monitor.

“You must also be homebound. If you qualify, it will be delivered to your door.”

Watching For Warning Signs

Congestive heart failure, as explained by Ms Abernethy, is a disease in which the heart is not pumping as efficiently as it should.

“The blood may back up into the left chamber of the heart, or into the lungs. Frequently, patients are short of breath and they experience swelling in their lower limbs as the blood pools and does not re-circulate well.

“Elevating the feet to the level of the heart is one way to lessen this swelling,” she added.

There are two warning signs of a worsening of the condition, which doctors want to know about as soon as possible should they occur. They are an elevated blood pressure and a sudden weight gain. The LifeLink telemonitoring system is an excellent way to provide feedback from home concerning these two critical areas.

“Every day, you would take your weight and blood pressure readings at a regular time, say, just after using the bathroom and before eating breakfast. The data travels from the machine that is hooked up to your phone jack, to the Internet where it is available to medical professionals who are always checking for anomalies.

“The doctor or nurse might call to ask if there have been any changes that might have caused the elevated readings. Did you remember to take your medications? Has you diet changed?”

Ms Abernethy explained that a sudden weight gain of more than three pounds in two days, or five pounds in seven days can be a signal of congestive heart failure.

“The visiting nurses will still be coming to your home to check you, but perhaps not quite as often if this system is in place.”

Going Beyond White-Coat Syndrome

Ms Abernethy said that blood pressure is something that must be monitored regularly so that a person’s general pattern can be established.

“In this way, any sudden fluctuation is a warning sign,” she said.

“The ideal blood pressure is 120 over 70, but a number of 135 to 140 over 80 or below is also acceptable, and we all know that blood pressure rises when we are under stress. For some people, all it takes is the sight of a doctor or a nurse wearing a white coat,” she noted.

The blood pressure machine includes a Velcro sleeve and is easily applied by the patient without another person needing to assist.

The weight scale, which is also connected by wires to the monitor, is very slim and flat and it has feet that are adjustable for hard floors or carpet.

“It takes about 15 seconds to get a good weight reading that is accurate to one tenth of a pound, and patients should try to stand free of any supporting items such as a walker or a table. The scale takes about 15 separate readings and comes up with an average number to compensate for small movements by the patient,” she said.

Ms Abernethy explained that frequently it is difficult for someone who has recently come out of the hospital to stand alone unsupported, and that is the reason for the multiple readings.

Anyone with questions about the LifeLink Monitoring System may contact Gail Abernethy, RN, Supervisor of Clinical Services at Connecticut VNA, Home Healthcare and Hospice my Masonicare, at 777 Federal Road, Brookfield; telephone: 203-775-0675 or email: gabernethy@connecticutvna.org.