Your guide to heart failure
Designed for adults of all ages who have heart failure, this practical guide will help you understand and manage your condition better.
Being diagnosed with heart failure can be unsettling for you and your family. It can raise all sorts of questions about what you can and can’t do and what your future is going to be like.
Learning how to manage your symptoms and taking your medication can help you to keep your condition under control.
We know this can be a worrying time for people living with heart failure.
Your heart failure nurse might have been redeployed, making it hard to have in-person appointments or check-ups. 'The key thing is to look after yourself well, and always phone your GP or heart failure team if your symptoms change or worsen,' says BHF nurse Lucy Martin. 'In fact, call your GP or heart failure team if you have any concerns about your medication or care - they are there to help you.'
Your GP is qualified to answer any questions you might have. Don’t worry about wasting their time – this is exactly what they’re there for.
You’re probably taking a combination of many different medications to treat your heart failure and it can be hard to keep track.
Taking the right medication properly will help to control your symptoms so it’s important you understand what your different medications do.
It’s a good idea to keep a record of useful information that you can tell your doctors and heart failure nurse, this includes things like your symptoms, daily weight and fluid intake. It can also be helpful to record your blood test results and blood pressure measurements.
Our heart failure personal record can help with this, you can make notes about all of these details, and any other important information your doctor might want to keep track of.
You may need to make some changes in your life because of your heart failure – from getting some help with the housework to changing jobs. This can be difficult, especially at first, but most people adjust and cope well with these changes over time.
Some activities you used to find easy may be a challenge at first, but setting realistic goals and making small steps will help you get there.
Regular physical activity can help to improve your energy and stamina. Being active can sometimes be challenge, but even a small amount of activity every day is good for you.
Start at a level that suits you and set realistic goals about what you are able to do. Your ability will depend on your symptoms and how well you feel overall.
Even if you are feeling well it’s important not to overdo it. This can leave you exhausted the next day. It can be helpful to spread your activity throughout the day. Do a small amount at a time, along with regular rest periods.
It can be tempting to overstretch yourself and try to keep up with other people, but this can make you feel worse. While it can be hard to force yourself to rest, particularly if you are feeling well, in the long run it will mean that you are more able to keep your condition and symptoms under control.
Your family, friends and carers can be a great source of both practical and emotional support.