Heart Failure
What can I do to help control my symptoms?
What is heart failure?
Heart failure happens when the heart is not strong enough to meet the needs of the body.
What are the symptoms of heart failure?
Symptoms may include:
·
Shortness of breath: due to the heart's weak pumping action, fluid builds up in your lungs. Depending on how severe your heart failure is this may happen only during exercise, or can also happen while you are resting and at night when you lie flat. This may be helped by sleeping on at least two pillows.
If the shortness of breath is severe and you experience wheezing, sweating, and you cannot talk easily
call 111 for an ambulance.
·
Ankle swelling: because your heart is not pumping strongly enough fluid collects in your ankles. This may be worse towards the end of the day.
·
Tiredness: is common and may limit what you feel able to do. In severe heart failure this may prevent you from doing most daily tasks.
·
Fast pulse rate: as your heart weakens it beats faster to try and get more blood pumped. You may be aware that your heart is beating fast.
·
Weight gain: you may carry extra fluid as your heart is not strong enough to make this fluid move through your body normally.
·
Emotional responses: heart failure can really alter the way you are able to live your life. Many people feel helpless, depressed and angry and lose confidence. Talk to your doctor if you are feeling this way.
What causes heart failure?
Some common causes of heart failure are:
- A history of coronary artery disease
- High blood pressure
- Heart muscle damage which can be caused by a viral infection or excessive alcohol
- An irregular heart beat
- Heart valve disease
- Congenital heart disease
How is heart failure diagnosed?
· Full medical examination
· The history of your symptoms
· Chest X-ray
· Blood test
· An electrocardiogram may indicate an enlarged heart and various abnormalities.
· An echocardiogram Brain / B-type natriuretic peptide or BNP test.
How is heart failure treated?
Treatment of heart failure aims to:
- treat the cause of your heart failure
- lessen the heart's workload and help it work more effectively
- treat any other medical problems which may be making your heart failure worse
Medication may o help.
What can I do to help control my symptoms?
There are many things that you can do for yourself to help ensure that your heart failure symptoms don't get worse. These include:
- Eat a heart healthy diet
- Don't drink too much fluid. Weigh yourself regularly, weight increases may indicate that you are retaining fluid
- Limit your alcohol intake. If possible don't drink any alcohol. If you do want to drink it have NO MORE than 1-2 standard drinks per day
- Don't smoke.
A standard drink is:
1 can beer OR
1 glass of wine OR
1 standard nip (30ml) of spirits
Once your heart failure is under control, take part in some physical activity. This will help your feel less tired and control your weight. Discuss what would be suitable with your doctor.
Take it easy - avoid taking on more than you can easily cope with. You may find it helpful to sleep propped up with pillows.
Would you like some more information?
Go to www.heartfailurematters.org
Click here to order your FREE copy of Living with Heart Failure
