19/09/2014
Heart Failure
What is Heart Failure
What are the Causes of Heart Failure
Depression and Heart Failure
How to Manage Heart Failure
Resource Information on Heart Failure
How to Manage Heart Failure
Heart failure can be managed with medications and close self-care. You also need to partner with health care providers. Many treatments and changes in habits can decrease symptoms and keep the disease from getting worse.
Activity:
Moderate exercise will keep your body strong and keep you doing the activities you enjoy. Start slow. Check with a health care provider about attending a cardiac rehabilitation program.
Diet:
Heart-healthy, low salt. No more than 2000 mg of sodium or salt per day.
Daily weight:
It is important to watch for early warning signs of fluid weight gain.
Some heart failure patients may be ordered to have fluid restrictions.
Medications:
Understand your medication.
Know the correct dose to take.
Take your medication on time.
Websites to help you manage your medication:
Script Your Future
Payless Drug, Special Service Pharmacy (direct home delivery)
Phillips Medication Dispensing Service
Drugs to treat heart failure
There are medicines that work in different ways to help treat heart failure and manage symptoms. Drugs used include angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta-blockers, diuretics and aldosterone blockers.
Some of these drugs block effects of stress hormones that can make heart failure worse. Some relax the blood vessels and decrease the workload of the heart.
Read more about drugs to treat heart failure.
Drugs to avoid
Drugs to avoid include NSAID's (such as ibuprofen) and some herbal medications. If you have heart failure, you should always check with your primary care provider before taking any over-the-counter medications.
Advanced therapies
If you have heart failure, you may want to talk to your primary care doctor and ask if you should see a special doctor who has advanced training in caring for heart failure patients.
If you have certain forms of heart failure, you may receive advanced treatments such as AICD, biventricular pacemaker or other options.
Patient Education Hotline for Heart Failure
Download here
Home Medication Reminders
Download here
