Heart Failure: Your Action Plan
Living with heart failure may not be easy. But there are things you can do to help you feel better, avoid the hospital, and live longer.
5 daily steps that help heart failure
- Weigh yourself at the same time each day. Keep a calendar by the scale, and write your weight on it every day.
- Pay attention to symptoms, such as shortness of breath or swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs.
- Limit sodium. Your doctor can tell you how much sodium is right for you.
- Take your medicines as prescribed. Try to take them at the same time every day.
- Be active. But watch for signs that your heart is being stressed, and know when to stop and rest.
What zone are you in?
Tracking your weight and other symptoms every day will help you know which heart failure zone you're in. And that can help you know when you need to get help.
Green Zone: You are doing well. This is where you want to be. |
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Yellow Zone: Call your doctor. Your symptoms are changing. |
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Your doctor's name: __________________________________________________ Your doctor's contact information: _______________________________________ |
Red Zone: Call 911. This is an emergency. |
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You have symptoms of sudden heart failure, such as:
You have symptoms of a heart attack. These may include:
If you call 911 about symptoms of a heart attack:
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More self-care tips
When you take charge of your health, you're more likely to feel better and keep your heart failure from getting worse. Here are other things you can do to take care of your body and your heart.
- If you smoke, quit.
- Try to stay at a healthy weight. Lose weight if you need to.
- Eat heart-healthy foods.
- Limit or avoid alcohol. Ask your doctor how much, if any, is safe.
- Manage other health problems. If you think you may have a problem with alcohol or drug use, talk to your doctor.
- Talk to your doctor if you feel sad or hopeless much of the time or if you are worried and anxious. These may be signs of depression or anxiety. Treatment with counseling and medicine can help.
- Limit the amount of fluids you drink if your doctor recommends it.
Current as of: September 7, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff You are leaving this website for information purposes only
Medical Review: You are leaving this website for information purposes onlyMartin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Christine R. Maldonado PhD - Behavioral Health & Caroline S. Rhoads MD - Internal Medicine