Educational Program for Various Health Literacy Levels to Improve the Health of Individuals With Heart Failure
Heart Failure, Congestive
About this trial
This is an interventional prevention trial for Heart Failure, Congestive focused on measuring Congestive Heart Failure
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Clinical diagnosis of HF
- Currently prescribed a Loop diuretic medication
At least one of the following findings:
- Chest x-ray consistent with HF (current or past x-ray with probable or definite pulmonary edema)
- Reduced ejection fraction on echocardiogram (ECHO), multiple gate acquisition scan (MUGA), or cardiac catheterization (less than 50%)
- Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) or diastolic filling pattern on ECHO
- Elevated B-type natriuretic peptide
- Currently experiencing New York Heart Association Class II-IV symptoms or has experienced these symptoms in the 6 months prior to study entry
- Has a working telephone
- Speaks English or Spanish
Exclusion Criteria:
Patients will be ineligible if they meet ONE the following criteria:
- Sight - Inability to see printed educational material well enough to utilize it
- Cognition - Moderate to severe dementia (If medical notes state "Severe Dementia" or as determined by administering the study's cognitive screener)
- Surgery -Valuvular disease rated as severe (mitral stenosis, aortic stenosis or aortic regurgitation) or valuvular surgery planned within a year (i.e., bypass, angioplasty, valve replacement, heart transplant)
- Terminal Illness - Possessing a terminal illness with prognosis of 1 year or less
- Dialysis - Currently on dialysis or anticipated to start dialysis within 1 year
- Oxygen Dependant - Using concentrate oxygen intermittent or continuously for COPD
- Management of Care - Not able to control medications
- Other Studies -Patient enrolled (past or present) in another study where intervention status would interfere with pure outcome of this or other study
Sites / Locations
- University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA)
- University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco General Hospital
- Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation Clinics & Northwestern Memorial Hospital Chicago
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Experimental
1
2
Participants will receive a 1-hour education session about CHF, symptom recognition, diet, exercise, and daily check ups.
Participants will receive a 1-hour education session about CHF, symptom recognition, diet, exercise, and daily check ups, as well as additional information on diuretic self adjustment. This group will then get several follow-up phone calls over the course of the year to reinforce these topics and help them master the knowledge and encourage behavior and lifestyle changes to align with these topics.