Heart disease is a common chronic health problem. There are many different types, such as coronary artery disease and heart failure.
If your heart is having certain problems beating regularly or pumping blood to your body, your cardiologist (heart specialist) may talk to you about getting a device to help your heart, for example:
- ventricular assist device (VAD)—helps your heart pump blood
- pacemaker—regulates heart rate and rhythm
- defibrillator—detects changes in heart rhythm and uses electric shocks to get your heart back to beating normally
What are some symptoms of heart disease?
Heart disease can cause:
- leg swelling (edema)
- breathing problems (shortness of breath)
- pain
- sleep problems
- problems walking and getting around (mobility)
You may also have other chronic diseases with symptoms that overlap with the symptoms of heart disease.
How can palliative and end-of-life care help?
The palliative and end-of-life care team works with you to help manage symptoms so you're as comfortable as possible.
If you have pain or shortness of breath because of heart disease, medicines called opioids (for example, morphine) can help. Other medicines can help with, shortness of breath, leg swelling, anxiety, and sleep problems.
If you have a defibrillator, or some other heart device, and it doesn't seem to be helping anymore, you and your family may have to make some decisions. For example, if you have a defibrillator you may need to decide if or when to have it removed. Your palliative and end-of-life care team can help with these types of decisions.
Your palliative and end-of-life care team can also help:
- answer questions you or your family have
- manage your symptoms
- give emotional support to you and your family
Find other supports if you need a higher level of care (for example, go from home to supported living or hospital)
