Use of Bedside Imaging and Community Health Workers for Early Screening and Referral of Pre-symptomatic Stage B Heart Failure in the Emergency Department
This study tests whether using ultrasound imaging at the bedside in the emergency department can help identify early signs of heart problems before symptoms develop. Researchers will also work with community health workers to help participants make healthy lifestyle changes to prevent future heart disease.
Key Objective: The trial is testing whether bedside ultrasound combined with community health worker support can motivate people to take steps to prevent heart failure from developing.
Who to Consider: Adults who come to the emergency department with risk factors for heart disease (such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity) should consider enrolling.
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can increase participant engagement and changes in behavior among adults with risk factors for pre-symptomatic heart failure presenting to the emergency department. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does POCUS increase understanding of heart failure and the likelihood to improve diet, exercise, and follow up? 2. Does POCUS improve diet, exercise, follow up, and self-efficacy at three months post-intervention? Researchers will compare an educational intervention with versus without POCUS to see if POCUS works to improve outcomes. Participants will: Receive either the educational intervention alone or an educational intervention plus POCUS. They will report the difference in their understanding and likelihood to improve diet, exercise, and follow up immediately post-intervention. They will also report changes in diet, exercise, follow up, and self-efficacy at three months post-intervention.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Must be 45 years of age or older * Must have high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, or obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) Exclusion Criteria: * Symptoms of acute heart failure (difficulty breathing, leg swelling) * History of heart failure * Unable to tolerate an ultrasound examination * No access to a phone for follow up