Heart Failure (CHF) Information
Helpful Tips
Self-care
Making lifestyle changes can often help relieve signs and symptoms of heart failure and prevent the disease from worsening. These changes may be among the most important and beneficial you can make:
Stop smoking. Smoking damages your blood vessels, reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood and makes your heart beat faster. If you smoke, ask your doctor to recommend a program to help you quit. You can't be considered for a heart transplant if you continue to smoke.
Weigh yourself daily. Do this each morning after you've urinated, but before you've had breakfast. Notify your doctor if you have a weight gain of 3 or more pounds in a day. It may mean that you're retaining fluids and need a change in your treatment plan. Record your weight every morning and bring the record with you to your doctor's visits.
Restrict sodium. Sodium is a component of salt. Too much sodium contributes to water retention, which makes your heart work harder and causes shortness of breath and swollen legs, ankles and feet. For people with heart failure, the recommended sodium intake is no more than 2,000 milligrams a day. Keep in mind that most of this salt is already added to prepared foods, and be careful when using salt substitutes. Some substitutes or "lite" salts contain a mixture of salt and other compounds. To get that familiar salty taste, you may use too much of the substitute and actually not reduce your sodium intake. In addition, many salt substitutes contain potassium chloride. Too much potassium can be harmful if you have kidney problems or if you're taking certain medications for treatment of heart failure. A dietitian can help you outline a healthy, low-salt diet, but it's up to you to stick to it without exception.
Maintain a healthy weight. If you're overweight, your dietitian will help you work toward your ideal weight.
Limit fats and cholesterol. In addition to avoiding high-sodium foods, limit your intake of saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol. A diet high in fat and cholesterol is a risk factor for coronary artery disease, which often underlies or contributes to heart failure.
Limit alcohol and fluids. Excessive use of alcohol can directly weaken your heart muscle or increase your risk of abnormal heart rhythms that may worsen existing heart failure. Alcohol may also interact with some medications used to treat heart conditions. Your doctor likely will advise you to abstain from alcohol if you have heart failure. If you have severe heart failure, your doctor may also suggest you limit your total intake of fluids.
Exercise. Exercise was once forbidden for people with heart failure. But, moderate exercise helps keep the rest of your body healthy and conditioned, reducing the demands on your heart muscle. Before you start exercising though, talk to your doctor about an exercise program that's right for you. Your doctor may suggest a walking program. Check with your local hospital to see if it offers a cardiac rehabilitation program; if it does, talk to your doctor about enrolling in the program.
Reduce stress. When you're anxious or upset, your heart beats faster and you breathe more heavily. This can make heart failure worse, since your heart is already having trouble meeting the body's demands. Find ways to reduce stress in your life. To give your heart a rest, try napping or putting your feet up when possible.
Sleep easy. If you're having shortness of breath, especially at night, sleep with your head propped up at a 45-degree angle using a pillow or a wedge. If you snore or have had other symptoms of disordered sleep, make sure you get tested for sleep apnea.
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