Living With Heart Failure (Heart Health)
Heart failure is a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood throughout the body. Usually it cannot be cured, and if you develop it, you’ll have to take medication regularly. With heart failure, symptoms including shortness of breath, fatigue, or swelling throughout the body may worsen over time.
Fortunately, treatment can relieve your symptoms and make it easier to do some of the things that you like to do. It can also reduce your risk of hospitalization. For these reasons, it is very important that you follow the treatment plan developed by your doctor. You must:
Take all of your medications as your doctor prescribes.
Make all of the lifestyle changes recommended by your doctor.
Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.
Symptoms could worsen if you:
Forget to take your medication.
Neglect your doctor’s dietary recommendations, such as avoiding salty foods.
Drink excessive amounts of alcohol.
If you have trouble following your diet, talk to your doctor. He or she can help you find a dietitian who can help you stick to a healthy diet. Also, alcohol can make your symptoms worse. When you do drink alcohol, try to have only one drink, and don’t do so very often.
By taking these simple steps, you can avoid some of the complications that come along with heart failure. If you continue to experience pain or other symptoms that interfere with your daily routine, ask your doctor about adjusting your treatment plan.
B-man 