Lifestyle Changes to Manage Heart Failure

Dietary Changes

Your doctor may recommend changes to your diet. These changes include:

Quit Smoking

Smoking makes your heart work harder. It increases blood pressure and heart rate while reducing the amount of oxygen in your blood. Talk with your doctor about the best way to help you quit smoking. Also remember that secondhand smoke is also harmful. Make sure you are not exposed to cigarette smoke if at all possible.

Maintain Normal Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a main cause of heart failure. It makes the heart work harder to push blood out into the body. Work with your doctor to keep your blood pressure under control. This may include medicine and lifestyle changes. Regular exercise and a heart healthy diet will help as well. The DASH diet has been shown to help reduce blood pressure. Talk to your doctor or dietitian to see if this plan could work for you.

Decrease or Discontinue Alcohol Consumption

Drinking too much alcohol can make the heart weaker. It can also increase your chance of having bad heart rhythms. Alcohol can react with certain heart medicine.

Reducing or stopping alcohol consumption may help with symptoms. Moderate drinking is defined as 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women.

Exercise Regularly

Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program.

Regular activity can help you manage heart failure. You may not be able to have the same level of intensity as in the past. Regular aerobic training can help increase your physical abilities and quality of life. Aim for at least 30 minutes per day on most days of the week. Begin slowly and work your way to this goal. Your doctor may have you do an exercise test before starting a program. It will test your heart under stress.

If you have severe heart failure, heavy lifting or extreme exertion is not recommended.

Sexual Activity

It is normal for you or your partner to feel worried about sex. In general, people who have heart failure that is stable can have sex. Talk to your doctor to know if it is safe for you.

Counseling

If you are having trouble managing your heart failure, ask your doctor about counseling. Counselors can help you develop skills to live with a chronic condition. It also may be helpful to join a support group. There you can meet others who have heart failure.

Other Management

• Oxygen therapy—Increases oxygen in the blood. Oxygen therapy may allow you to resume or continue activities.
• Vaccination—to help prevent common infections like cold, flu, or pneumonia. This may include:
  • Flu vaccine
  • Pneumonia vaccine
• Cardiac rehabilitation—Education and counseling to help start exercise and lifestyle changes. This may reduce the risk of further heart-related conditions.
• You may be asked to track your weight. Record and report significant weight gains that occur in a day or week. An upswing in weight may suggest a worsening of your heart failure.
• Keep in touch with your care team. Stick to your treatment plan. Your needs may change over time. Work with your team to stay on top of any changes or problems.
• Be active in your care plan. Talk to your team about symptoms or treatments that you are having difficulty with. Other treatments options may be available to help you better manage your heart failure.

When to Contact Your Doctor

There are some common warning signs that may signal your condition is getting worse. Contact your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms:

• Sudden weight gain
• Shortness of breath that wakes you up at night, is present at rest, or is increased with exertion
• Increased swelling in the limbs, legs, or ankles
• Swelling in the abdomen, lack of appetite, or nausea
• Trouble sleeping
• Frequent dry, hacking cough
• Increased fatigue

Remember, it is important to keep in touch with your care team. Go to all scheduled appointments.