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What is a Heart Failure Treatment Plan?
What is a Heart Failure Treatment Plan?As a heart failure patient, there are many things you can do every day to help your condition.The most important of these is to follow your heart failure treatment plan.A heart failure treatment plan is a daily guide to managing your heart failure and reducing your symptoms.Everyone’s treatment plan is a little different and is based on your symptoms.Heart Failure treatment plans can include: taking your medications, reducing your sodium intake, limiting yourfluid intake, staying active, avoiding tobacco, limiting or avoiding alcohol, and monitoring your symptoms.Taking your medications is one of the most important aspects of your treatment plan.Most likely you will be prescribed several medications.Each medication has a different purpose. Some of them are designed to help your heart pump more efficiently.Others reduce the workload on your heart muscle. And others will help reduce your symptoms like swelling.No matter what types of medications you take for your heart failure, they will only work if you take them asprescribed so be sure to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions.Reducing the amount of sodium you eat is also a very important element of most heart failure treatment plans.Excess sodium causes the body to retain water, which can lead to swelling. It can also cause your bloodpressure to go up, which puts extra stress on your heart and arteries.Learn to look for hidden sodium in food products by reading the Nutrition Facts label.You can also limit sodium by preparing your own meals and skipping the added salt and highly processedfoods. Herbs and spices are a great-tasting alternative to salt.Your treatment plan may also recommend limiting your fluid intake.Extra fluid can make your symptoms worse, especially swelling. As a result, your healthcare provider mightrecommend limiting your fluid intake to one and a half or two liters each day.Staying active is one of the best things you can do for your health. And this is still true when you have heartfailure.Exercise helps your body use oxygen more efficiently, which allows you to do more with less effort and lessfatigue.Make sure to talk to your healthcare provider about developing a physical activity plan that is right for you.If you smoke, quit.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG10146C EN WhatIsAHeartFailureTreatmentPlan.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 2What is a Heart Failure Treatment Plan?If you continue to use tobacco, you are at a greater risk for heart attack and stroke. Smoking can also weakenyour heart further, making your heart failure worse.And smoking damages your lungs, which can make your symptoms of heart failure, like shortness of breathand fatigue, worse.If you vape, or use e-cigarettes, it’s still a good idea to stop. Although we are still researching how e-cigarettesaffect heart failure, nicotine itself has effects throughout the body.Until we know for sure, it’s a good idea to simply avoid all tobacco and e-cigarette products.Avoid second hand smoke. It is physically dangerous to your heart and lungs and can trigger you to smokeagain.You should also consult your healthcare provider about drinking alcohol. Based on your condition, you may beadvised to avoid or limit drinking alcohol.Alcohol can also interact with your prescriptions.Your health care provider may also suggest that you cut back on or get rid of the caffeine in your diet as well.Follow your treatment plan every day to reduce your symptoms and control your heart failure.Monitor your symptoms to make sure your treatment plan is working.Look for signs of swelling in your legs, ankles and feet.And weigh yourself on a daily basis. An increase in weight can be a sign that your body is holding onto fluid.Bring your weight record to each healthcare appointment.Over time, your condition can change and so should your treatment plan.Your healthcare provider may change your medications or recommend additional treatment options. Whateverchanges are made, the goal of your treatment plan is still the same – to manage your heart failure, reduce yoursymptoms and help you feel better.“Just follow the instructions of your provider, follow your diet, get the exercise in, and never give up.”This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG10146C EN WhatIsAHeartFailureTreatmentPlan.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 2 of 2
Heart & Vascular Center
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