5. How does it feel to have Heart Failure?
Some of the most common symptoms
of Heart Failure are:
• Shortness of breath
• Dry cough
• Feeling tired or weak after little effort
• Weight gain of 3 pounds in a day, or 5 pounds, or
more in a week
• Increase in swelling in your feet, ankles, legs, or
stomach
• Waking up short of breath
• Using more pillows at night, or sleeping in a recliner
6. What can I do to manage my Heart Failure?
It is important to take good care of yourself when
you have Heart Failure. Some of the things that are
important to do every day are:
• Weigh yourself in the morning, and write it down.
• Take your medicines as prescribed.
• Avoid salt and salty foods.
• Check with your doctor to see if you should lower
your water intake.
• Stay active; take a walk.
9. How can you cook without sodium?
Some tips for low sodium cooking include:
• Take the saltshaker off the table and stove. Substitute
seasonings such as herbs, garlic, lemon, and pepper.
• Don’t add salt to cooking water; try a splash of olive oil.
• Avoid canned foods. Fresh and plain frozen
vegetables have much less salt.
• Read the labels of all prepared foods and drinks
(boxes and cans); they’re likely to be high in sodium.
• Condiments are usually high in salt. Try dipping your
fork into them rather than pouring them on your food.
• Before using a salt substitute ask your doctor or
healthcare provider if it is safe.
10. Is it important to take my medications?
You can harm your heart by not taking your
medications, or by taking medications not prescribed
by your healthcare provider. It is important to take
your medications as your physician prescribed even
if you feel fine!
13. When should I call my doctor?
Call your doctor or healthcare provided if you have:
• Weight gain of 3 pounds in a day, or 5 pounds
or more in a week
• Increased shortness of breath
• Increase in swelling in your feet, ankles, legs,
or stomach
• Waking up short of breath
• Using more pillows at night, or sleeping in a recliner
• Dry cough
• Increased fatigue, or weakness
14. When should I go to the Emergency Room
or call 911?
If you are or have:
• Struggling to breathe
• Unrelieved shortness of breath while sitting still
• Chest pain
• Confusion, or unable to think clearly
Every Day –
• Weigh yourself in the morning and write it down
• Take your medicines as prescribed
• Avoid salt and salty foods
• Minimize water/fluid intake
• Stay active; take a walk
Which Heart Failure Zone
are you today?
MY GOALS:
•I have no shortness of breath
•I didn’t gain more than 2 pounds
•I don’t have swelling in my feet, ankles,
legs or stomach
•I have no chest pain or discomfort
WARNING!
I WILL CALL MY DOCTOR FOR:
•Weight gain of 3 pounds in a day, or 5 pounds or more in a week
•Increased shortness of breath
•Increase in swelling in your feet, ankles,
legs or stomach
•Waking up short of breath
•Using more pillows at night or sleeping in a recliner
•Dry cough
•Increased fatigue or weakness
All Clear
8. Why is it important to follow a low sodium diet?
Sodium from food and drinks makes your body hold
onto water. The water causes swelling that makes
your heart work harder. Sodium gets into your body
by either the salt you add to your food or from the foods
you eat that contain salt. Cutting back on both sources
is very important!
REMEMBER:
Caution
4. Can Heart Failure be cured?
With the right treatment Heart Failure can be controlled.
You can feel better and live better with fewer symptoms.
Your goal is:
• No shortness of breath
• No weight gain of more than 2 pounds
• No swelling in your feet, ankles, legs, or stomach
• No chest pain
12. Can I stay active with Heart Failure?
Staying active is important! Exercise such as walking
can help your heart. Walking will help you to have more
energy, fell less fatigued, and decrease your symptoms.
Stay active as long as you’re comfortable. Exercise as
long as you don’t feel short of breath or tired.
Some tips include:
• Plan activities like a walk, and make it a regular part
of your day.
• Pace yourself. Make sure that you’re not short
of breath, and you can make a full sentence
while you walk.
• Compare how much you were able to do today
with the how much you did yesterday. It can give
you a hint if your heart failure is increasing.
Living With My Heart
Emergency
3. What is Diastolic Heart Failure?
Diastolic Heart Failure means that the heart has become
stiff. It doesn’t relax normally between contractions, so
the ventricles don’t fill with enough blood.
11. How can I take all those pills?
Some tips to help you take your medicines are:
• Make a schedule. Taking medications with breakfast
and at bedtime is sometimes helpful.
• Refill your prescriptions when you have pills left
to allow for possible delays.
• Have a system. A weekly pill organizer can
be a great help.
• If you’re having trouble, ask for help;
medications can be confusing.
GREEN
ZONE
2. What is Systolic Heart Failure?
Systolic Heart Failure is when the heart muscle
becomes weak and enlarged. The heart muscle
can’t squeeze as well as it should, so less blood can
be pumped out of the ventricles (the heart’s lower
chambers).
7. Why and how should I weigh myself every day?
A sudden weight gain means that your body is storing
more water. It is a sign of worsening Heart Failure.
Some important tips on weighing are:
• Place your scale, paper, and a pencil
in your bathroom.
• Weigh yourself the first thing in the morning,
after you urinate, but before you eat.
• Weigh without clothes, or if you wear clothes
be sure they are of similar weight.
• Always use the same scale. If you don’t have a scale,
or can’t afford one, ask a member of your healthcare
team for assistance.
• Write your weight down every day.
• Call your doctor or healthcare provider if you gain
3 pounds in a day, or 4- 5 pounds, or more
within a week.
YELLOW ZONE
1. What is Heart Failure?
Heart failure means that the heart isn’t pumping as well
as it should. Because of this some parts of your body
are not getting enough blood and oxygen. There are
two types of Heart Failure Systolic Heart Failure, and
Diastolic Heart Failure.
RED
ZONE
HEART FAILURE FAQ’S
IT IS BEST TO GO TO THE
EMERGENCY ROOM OR CALL 911:
•Struggling to breathe
•Unrelieved shortness of breath while sitting still
•Chest pain
•Confusion, or unable to think clearly
all heart.all the time
12CD628 R5/12 ©2012 Kettering Health Network