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What is Heart Failure?

Heart failure is a chronic condition where the heart muscle doesn’t pump well enough to meet your body’s demands. When this happens, your body doesn’t get enough oxygen at times. This can lead to other symptoms. (5)

What are the symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure?
  • Swelling in the legs and feet
  • Shortness of breath especially when lying flat
  • Coughing or wheezing
  • Rapid heart rate or palpitations
  • Increased tiredness and fatigue
  • Rapid weight gain from fluid build-up
  • Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
  • Easily confused or unable to think clearly
How is Congestive Heart Failure treated?

Medical management of Congestive Heart Failure can include a variety of treatments based on your doctor’s assessment and your symptoms. Some common treatment options can include: (5)

  • Recommending a Low Sodium diet
  • Prescription pills aimed at decreasing excess fluids
  • Oxygen therapy
  • Practicing energy conversation
Recommending a Low Sodium Diet

A low sodium diet may be one of the most important things you can do to manage Congestive Heart Failure disease. Excess salt can cause fluid retention in your body. This has an immediate impact on your heart’s ability to pump. Salt makes it harder for your heart to pump the extra fluids in your body. Removing excess salt from your diet can drastically improve your outcomes with Congestive Heart Failure.

Educate yourself on the salt in your diet. Many foods have hidden salt that can negatively impact your condition. Click here for more information on a healthy heart diet that limits excess salt. (1)

Practicing Energy Conversation

Plan

  • Place Yourself - Don't Rush
  • Allow extra time for simple tasks
  • Plan rest periods

Stay Organized

  • Gather commonly used items before starting a task
  • Keep things within reach

Keep it Simple

  • Prioritize what is most important
  • Simplify a task or do it less often
  • Ask for help
  • Sit when possible

Common Example of Energy Conversation:

Some common examples of energy conservation that can positively impact your day:

  • Sit when taking a shower.
  • Put a robe on after your shower and sit. Don't dry off immediately. Allow time for rest.
  • Keep plates, napkins, and utensils on the counter. This requires less energy when getting meals.
  • Wear clothing that is easy to put on and take off. use clothes and shoes with Velcro instead of buttons or laces. (7)
The most important energy conservation step is to listen to your body! Rest, Plan for Rest Times, and Rest Often.
What can you do to manage Congestive Heart Failure?

Self-management of Congestive Heart Failure can greatly impact your quality of life and keep you healthy at home. Self-management activities compliment your doctor’s medical management plan.

Important Self-Management Activities

  • Eat a low sodium diet.
  • Practice energy conservation.
  • Take your medications as prescribed.
  • Keep scheduled doctor's appointments and ask questions.

Questions to Ask the Doctor

Understanding your diagnosis can provide you with information to make the best decisions for your health and quality of life. Here are some suggestions to ask your doctor with your next visit:

  • What are the most important things i can do to help me manage my heart failure?
  • What symptoms should i report to you?
  • How serious is my heart failure condition?
  • Is my heart failure afecting any other conditions?
  • What are my goals for living with heart failure?
Resources

These resources and tools can help you stay healthy while managing Congestive Heart Failure.

Low Sodium Diet: American Heart Association Low Sodium Diet Education can be found here. (1)

Self-Management Tracker: American Heart Association has a great tracker that can keep you healthy at home. Download it here. (4)

Congestive Heart Failure Education: American Heart Association has a comprehensive education booklet that can be found here. (2)

References

  1. American Heart Association. (2024, 6 28). Avoid Hidden Sources of Sodium. Retrieved from American Heart Association: https://pdf.staywell.com/DS-19081_HF_Hidden_Sodium_03kk_AC.pdf
  2. American Heart Association. (2024, 6 28). Healthier Living with Heart Failure. Retrieved from Healthier Living with Heart Failure: https://mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?m=46677&i=753422&p=48&ver=html5
  3. American Heart Association. (2024, 6 28). Reading Food Labels to Look for Sodium. Retrieved from American Heart Association: https://pdf.staywell.com/DS-19083_HF_Read_Food_Labels_03kk_AC.pdf
  4. American Heart Association. (2024, 6 28). Self-Check Plan for HF Management. Retrieved from Self-Check Plan for HF Management: https://www.heart.org/-/media/files/health-topics/heart-failure/hf-symptom-tracker.pdf
  5. Mayo Clinic. (2024, 6 28). Heart Failure. Retrieved from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-failure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373142
  6. OT, C. A. (2024, 6 28). Occupational Therapy Toolkit. Retrieved from Occupational Therapy Toolkit: https://www.ottoolkit.com/
  7. St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton. (2024, 6 28). Energy Conservation. Retrieved from St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton: https://www.stjoes.ca/patients-visitors/patient-education/a-e/PD%208278%20Energy%20Conservation.pdf

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