Here are some self-care tips for patients with heart failure.

Self-care for heart failure patients.

• Become familiar with the different symptoms caused by fluid and salt retention, such as weight gain, swelling, fatigue, discomfort when lying down, or having to wake during the night to sit up and catch your breath. If any of these symptoms are experienced, immediately inform the doctor or nurse.
• Measure your weight and record it every morning – or at least for two mornings per week – immediately after going using the toilet after you wake up. Write down your weight reading before eating breakfast, as any weight gain of more than one kilogram in 1-2 days (or 2 kilograms in 3 days) indicates fluid and salt retention.
• Limit salt intake to 2-3 grams per day, and avoid eating salty food in general, including canned foods, pickled foods, and soy sauce. Also, limit intake of drinking water according to the treatment plan.
• Overweight patients should aim to lose weight if possible, as weight gain means the heart must work harder to pump blood to the rest of the body. In cases where the patient experiences loss of appetite, sickness, vomiting, stomach cramps, weight loss of more than 5 kilograms in 6 months, or where the patient's BMI is less than 22 kg/m2, the patient should eat small portions of easily digestible food at regular intervals in order to prevent malnutrition.
• Avoid smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol (or have no more than 2 drinks per day), as alcohol adversely affects the heart.
• Keep to a suitable exercise regime. Start off with walks on a flat surface, starting with short sessions of 2-5 minutes per day, and then increasing the sessions to 5-10 minutes per day. Joining an exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation program is also an option. However, if fatigue, exhaustion, or feelings of discomfort occur during exercise, stop immediately.
• Only engage in sexual activity if you are able to walk up one flight of stairs (of 8-10 steps) without gasping for breath or stopping to rest. This is recommended as symptoms of heart failure may be increased with sex.
• Take any medications as instructed. However, if any unusual symptoms occur – which could be side effects of medication – consult your doctor (prior to stopping your medication). If purchasing any additional medication from the pharmacy, consult your doctor regarding the side effects of the medications on your heart and kidneys, as well as interactions with other medications which you are currently taking.
• Try to lower stress levels with relaxing activities such as a light exercise or meditation.
• Avoid walking long distances, especially if needing to sit for long periods along the way. Heart failure patients should not go out for walks alone; they should be accompanied by a friend or relative. Additionally, avoid flying if your symptoms worsen.
• Get vaccinated for the flu yearly, if possible.
• Have regular health check-ups and meet with the doctor as scheduled.