Fillable Taking Care Of Your Heart Failure (Superior HealthPlan)

Fill Online, Printable, Fillable, Blank Taking Care Of Your Heart Failure (Superior HealthPlan) Form

Use Fill to complete blank online SUPERIOR HEALTHPLAN pdf forms for free. Once completed you can sign your fillable form or send for signing. All forms are printable and downloadable.

Taking Care Of Your Heart Failure (Superior HealthPlan)

On average this form takes 108 minutes to complete

The Taking Care Of Your Heart Failure (Superior HealthPlan) form is 102 pages long and contains:

  • 0 signatures
  • 203 check-boxes
  • 336 other fields

Country of origin: US
File type: PDF

Use our library of forms to quickly fill and sign your Superior HealthPlan forms online.

BROWSE SUPERIOR HEALTHPLAN FORMS

Related forms
Fill has a huge library of thousands of forms all set up to be filled in easily and signed.
Fill in your chosen form
Sign the form using our drawing tool
Send to someone else to fill in and sign.
find another form
 
TAKING
TAKING
CARE
of your
Heart
Failure
Heart
failure
CARE
of your
POCKET GUIDE
It’s sometimes called congestive
heart failure, CHF, cardiac
failure, left-sided heart failure
and right-sided heart failure.
Use this guide
for quick info on caring
for heart failure and to
organize your data and find
resources. Relief is in sight!
TABLE of CONTENTS
My contacts
2
Heart Failure definitions
and diagnosis
4
Weighing in
11
My heart failure
health care team
13
Heart Failure mythbusting
17
Ejection Fraction
19
TAKING CARE of YOUR
Heart Failure
Blood Pressure and
heart failure
21
Good advice, well taken
23
My treatment plan:
medications
25
My treatment plan:
Lifestyle changes
35
My Treatment plan:
the surgery option
45
Heart failure
Diet and nutrition
48
Heart Failure
and fitness
54
Coping and support
58
The future of
heart failure
59
My heart failure
Action plan
60
My notes
63
RESOURCES
DISCLAIMER. This book provides general information about heart
failure and related issues. The information does not constitute medical
advice and is not intended to be used for the diagnosis or treatment of
a health problem or as a substitute for consulting with a licensed health
professional. Consult with a qualified physician or health care practitioner
to discuss specific individual issues or health needs and to professionally
address personal medical concerns.
1
Some of the reasons you may want to
TAKE CARE
OF YOUR
HEART FAILURE
I WANT TO BE HEALTHY
AND LIVE LIFE TO ITS
FULLEST
I WANT A
HEALTHY
LIFESTYLe
FOR ME
AND MY
FAMILY
I WANT
TO STAY
ACTIVE
I WANT
TO Live
disease-
free
I WANT to enjoy the
people in my life for
as long as I can
I want to
live without
pain and
discomfort
I want to reach the
personal goals I set
for myself
I want
to be in
control
of my
health
I WANT TO
have more
Energy
I WANT
TO LOSE
WEIGHT
I WANT TO BE THERE
FOR MY CHILDREN
AND GRANDCHILDREN
MY CONTACTS
MY CONTACTS
Emergency Contacts
Emergency response: 911
Name:
Relationship:
Cell Phone:
Home Phone:
( ) ( )
Name:
Relationship:
Cell Phone:
Home Phone:
( ) ( )
Medical
My General or Family Doctor:
( )
Phone:
My Heart Failure Specialist:
( )
Phone:
Other Specialist:
Phone:
Hospital:
( )
( )
Phone:
Health Insurance Provider:
( )
Phone:
Website:
Case Manager:
( )
Phone:
2
MY CONTACTS
MY CONTACTS
Other Professional Contacts
Name:
Service/function:
( )
Phone:
Name:
Service/function:
( )
Phone:
Name:
Service/function:
( )
Phone:
Family Members
Name:
( )
Phone:
Name:
( )
Phone:
Name:
( )
Phone:
Name:
( )
Phone:
3
AND
Heart
Failure
Definitions Diagnosis
Heart failure? That doesn’t sound good.
What is Heart Failure?
Anything with the words heart and failure linked
together doesn’t sound like it could end well. But the
condition isn’t as dire as the name makes it sound. It
just means that the heart isn’t pumping at its best. It
can’t quite keep up with the workload it’s tasked with.
Heart failure (noun): the
condition in which fluid
collects around the heart
and hinders its ability to
pump well.
HF Defined
Heart failure means the
heart is not filling up
and pumping out blood
as well as it should.
There are many different
potential reasons for
this, as well as different
problems that result.
The heart is becoming
less efficient.
The Most Important Concept
There is good evidence in the treatment of heart failure that
guideline-directed medical therapy is the key to getting better.
Following your doctor’s instructions and taking your meds as
prescribed can reverse and remodel what has happened to your
heart. These specific medications will be discussed later in this
book. Diuretics, ACE inhibitors and ARBs, Beta- and Alpha-
blockers, and digoxin have proven countless times to reverse
damage to the heart when taken as prescribed.
Right Atrium
Left Atrium
Right
ventricle
left
ventricle
4
Heart
of the
matter
In a healthy heart, the ventricles pump out
oxygen-rich blood to all the parts of the
body as the atria receive oxygen-depleted
blood back in. It does this over and over
again without end. But with HF, the heart
can’t pump out enough oxygen-rich blood to
all of the organs and tissues. One side or
both sides of the heart may be affected.
Results of the
heart’s weakened
ability to p
ump:
»
»
»
Blood and fluid back up into the lungs
Fluid builds up in the feet, ankles,
belly and legs (edema)
Feeling tired and short of breath
The Bad News
Heart failure is a serious
condition. It can affect
your quality of life.
If heart failure is not
treated, it can often
be the cause of death.
There can be frequent
hospitalizations. It’s
hard for patients to do
the activities they enjoy
most. The treatments can
seem complicated.
The Good News
When managed with medications
and healthy lifestyle changes,
many people with heart failure can
lead full and normal lives. Damage
to the heart can often be reversed,
when following a treatment plan
closely. All cases can be treated,
and in some instances, the
damage may improve. Doctors
and case managers can help you
find the most effective and safest
treatments.
What causes HF?
The most common causes
are:
• Coronary artery disease
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Heart valve conditions
•
Other conditions such
as obesity, thyroid
disease and severe
infections and allergic
reactions
Most likely to have hf
People 65 and older
African-Americans
Overweight people
People who have had
a heart attack
HEART FAILURE
FACTS AND STATS
Men run a higher risk of
heart failure than women.
5
HEART
APPRECIATION
When it can’t pump as it’s
meant to, the heart and
the body try to make up
for the lack of production
in other ways:
More muscle mass develops
The heart’s cells get bigger so
it can pump mor
e strongly.
Blood vessels narrow
This keeps blood pressure up
,
trying to mak
e up for the loss
of power from the heart.
Enlarging
The heart chamber stretches more
and contracts stronger. It pumps
more blood. The body responds by
holding onto fluid, congesting the
lungs with fluid and causing the
heart to beat irregularly.
Faster pumping
The heart tries to ramp up the
output by going in
to overdrive.
The body channels the blood flow
It reroutes it a
way from the heart,
brain, k
idneys and the tissues that
don’t need it as much.
HEART FAILURE FACTS
AND STATS
Nearly 5 million Americans are
living with heart failure right now.
LEFT HEART FAILURE
A problem with the left side of
the heart means it can’t pump
all of the blood it gets. Fluids
will back up into the lungs.
SYMPTOMS:
» Shortness of breath
» Dry hacking cough
» Trouble seeing unless
propped up
» Feeling out of breath
when waking
» Swelling and bloating due to
the body holding on to
too much fluid
RIGHT HEART FAILURE
A problem with the right side
of the heart makes blood
back up into the veins. It isn’t
always easy to notice since
veins can stretch and hold
extra blood.
In time, the legs, ankles and
feet may become swollen.
The upper right side of
the belly may feel sore or
swollen. Tiredness and a
lack of appetite are also
symptoms.
6
Your doctor will
study the factors
to figure out the
extent of your heart
failure, such as:
• The cause of your heart problem
• Your heart’s ability to fill and pump
• How your body reacts to the symptoms
•
What other demands are on your heart, such as
being overweight or having high blood pressure
WARNING Signs and Symptoms
Contact your doctor if you experience any of these signs.
First
signs that
condition has
worsened:
Fatigue
Swelling in the ankles, feet and legs
Weight gain
More of a need to urinate, especially
at night
Irregular heartbeat
A cough that starts from congested
lungs
Wheezing
Shortness of breath, which may
mean pulmonary edema
Signs that
mean a
severe heart
condition.
GET
MEDICAL HELP
RIGHT AWAY
:
Chest pain throughout upper
body, which can also be a sign
of a heart attack
Quick breathing
Skin that looks blue due to lack
of oxygen in the lungs
Fainting
HEART FAILURE BY
THE NUMBERS:
11 million
Number of doctor visits
each year as a result of
heart failure
Holding on
The reason why heart failure makes your
body hold on to water is because a weak
heart sends less blood to the kidneys.
The kidneys assume there’s not enough
blood, so they keep the water and salt
instead of passing it out
in the urine.
7
MORE
Signs and
Symptoms
The warning signs for HF can vary by
person. But as the disease gets worse,
you may notice some or all of these:
Sudden weight
gain:
two pounds overnight or three to
four pounds in a day or two.
Swelling of the
legs and ankles:
as the body holds on to fluids
rather than passing them out,
edema can affect these parts.
Swelling and
bloating:
you feel full a lot faster during
meals or feel pain in the belly.
Trouble sleeping:
you can only get relief at night
when propped up by pillows. This
can also be caused by problems
other than heart failure.
Shortness of
breath:
you may feel out of breath when
you exert yourself, during the
night or all of the time.
Dry hacking
cough:
you may experience this all of
the time or mainly when lying
down.
Loss of appetite:
never feeling like you want to eat
or having nausea.
Fatigue:
loss of blood flow may make you
feel tired even when exerting
little effort.
8
HEART FAILURE
DEFINED:
Cardiologist
(noun):
a doctor who
specializes in the
heart, the blood
vessels and their
functions.
Diagnosing
Heart failure
Your health care provider may
refer you to a cardiologist after
reviewing your symptoms. Your
cardiologist will then perform
a physical exam. He or she will
listen to your heart for irregular
patterns. Further tests may be
needed to look at your heart’s
valves and chambers, as well as
your blood vessels.
Two Important studies
Two Important studies
An ultrasound of your
heart (echocardiogram)
will show if there is damage
to the heart muscle that
prevents the heart from
pumping at its best. It will
also evaluate the valves
between the chambers of
the heart.
The technician can watch
the blood flow through the
heart. This echocardiogram
can give one of the most
important measures of
your heart’s function - the
Ejection Fraction. A good
pumping strength (Ejection
Fraction) is above 50
percent.
The other study is an exercise test. Your heart rate and blood
pressure are measured before and after exercise. Sometimes
there will be a special part to this test: the patient breathes
through a small mask to measure how much oxygen the body
is using. A good result will show that your heart is able to move
oxygen well to all the areas that need it. The blood moves the
oxygen all over your body.
9
Echocardiogram
Ultrasound
Equipment
Ultrasound
Probe
SOME OF THE TESTS YOUR CARDIOLOGIST
OR HEART FAILURE SPECIALIST MAY ORDER
Test What it does
Electrocardiogram
(EKG or ECG)
Records your heart’s rhythm
Echocardiogram
Uses sound waves to record your
heart’s structure and motion
MRI
Takes pictures of the heart
Stress test
Shows how the heart reacts to different
levels of stress, such as while exercising
Blood test
Checks for abnormal blood cells
and infections
Cardiac catheterization
Shows blockage of
the coronary arteries
PET scan or thallium scan
Sees if bypass surgery will
help certain areas of the heart
These tests can detect and monitor any problems so your doctor can
choose the best treatment for you. Many times th
is leads to fewer
heart failure symptoms and can improve or get rid of your condition.
Treatment options will be
covered in more detail in an
upcoming chapter
. These
options look at the underlying
cause of your heart failure.
Medicines can go a long way
in treating the disease. If
other treatments fail, a heart
transplant may be needed.
HEART FAILURE FACTS
AND STATS
Each year in the U.S.,
about 550,000 new cases
of HF are diagnosed.
The tests that your doctor had you
undergo wil
l help him or her see
what’s going on in yo
ur heart. They’ll
listen then decide the best treatment
plan for you.
Find out more
American Heart
Association:
heart.org
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute:
Heart Failure:
nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hf/diagnosis
10
WEIGHING IN
One of the signs that your kidneys are holding water and
salt in your body is a sudden weight gain. So monitoring
your weight daily is crucial to your care.
Weigh-in tips
Weigh yourself each morning after you urinate
and before eating, drinking or getting dressed.
Track your daily weight on a chart like the one
on the following page. Write it down and share it
with your care manager or nurse who helps you
with your heart.
Make sure your scale is set on a hard, flat surface
and set to zero before stepping on each day.
Keep your eating habits in mind when weighing.
You may not notice weight gain from fluid if
you’re losing pounds from eating less.
Gaining three to four poun
ds in a day or two —
or a c
ouple of pounds overnight — is most likely
due to fluid buildup rather than eating. Your
doctor will have advice on how to get rid of the
extra fluid. You may need more of a diuretic to
pass the fluid.
Write down the date, your weight and any
diuretic taken at that time on your chart.
HEART FAILURE DEFINED:
Diuretic (noun): a drug that causes more passing
of urine. Also known as a water pill.
Note: If you don’t have acce
ss to a scale or fresh
batteries to run it, contact your health plan.
Many times they can help you out with the tools
and equipment you need. Don’t
skip this important step because
you don’t have the equipment.
11
ROTATE ME!
DAILY WEIGHT CHART
Continue this log in this format on a separate piece of paper.
Share this information with your health care practitioner on each visit.
DAT E
WEIGHT DIURETIC TAKEN COMMENTS
FIND OUT MORE:
Weight Chart (For Heart Failure Patients):
rxfiles.ca/rxfiles/uploads/documents/hf-furosemideslidingscale.pdf
12
MY
Heart
Failure
Care team
Building your health care
support team plays an
important part in managing
your condition. Here are
some of the players you’ll
need on your team while
dealing with heart failure.
Primary Care doctor
Your regular doctor is the first contact when medical
issues arise. He or she will most likely stay in charge
of your overall care throughout your treatment and
will serve as the main point of contact for your
questions and to get advice.
My primary care doctor:
Contact info:
cardiologist/
Heart failure specialist
This specialist diagnoses and treats heart and blood vessel
problems. He or she will review your medical history and
perform a physical exam. This may include checking your
blood pressure, weight, heart, lungs and blood vessels.
My cardiologist:
Contact info:
13
Clinical Nurse Specialist
or Nurse practitioner
Other nurses and doctor assistants may provide care,
perform tests and give you info, educate and counsel you
during your treatment.
My nurse specialist:
Contact info:
Physical and
Occupational Specialist
These members of your care team help with cardiac rehab
and develop the ideal plans for your physical therapy.
My physical/occupational therapist:
Contact info:
Other physical/occupational therapist:
Contact info:
14
Dietitian
This person teaches heart-healthy eating lessons and
creates meal plans with your recovery in mind.
My dietitian:
Contact info:
Mental Health
Professional
He or she will help you and your family deal with
emotional stress, anxiety and depression.
My mental health pro:
Contact info:
Social worker/
Case manager
You’ll need someone to help with the complex financial,
legal and insurance coverage issues. This person will also
work with you to create an advance directive and find
social support services.
My social worker/case manager:
Contact info:
15
Pharmacist
This is your contact for all things related to your medication.
He or she will advise you on drug interactions and help
you understand how to take your meds.
My pharmacist:
Contact info:
You
You will be the team leader throughout your care. You’re
responsible for following the instructions of the health
care pros and letting them know your progress. Good
teamwork and communication leads to a better quality of
life for you!
Other helpful members of
your health care team
Name:
Contact info:
Name:
Contact info:
Find out more
CardioSmart: Your Health Care Team:
cardiosmart.org/Heart-Basics/Your-Health-Care-
Team
16
HEART FAILURE
MythBusting
When it comes to heart failure, there is a lot we
assume, often incorrectly. Learning the truth
about HF can help you better deal with the
disease and get the best treatment.
HF MYTH
Busted!
Heart failure
means your
heart is no
longer beating.
Not true. Heart failure happens when the heart
muscle is damaged. The organ is not a
ble
to pump blood through the body as well as it
should.
Heart failure
is fatal.
While it’s a very serious condit
ion tha
t can
shorten one’s life, heart failure can be treated
effectively. A doctor and health care team can
help those with HF make lifestyle changes that
ease symptoms and prolong life.
Heart failure
can’t be
cured.
While a definitive cure for HF is ye
t to be fo
und,
with medications, lifestyle changes and good
care, those with the disease can lead normal lives.
If you have
heart failure,
you shouldn’t
exercise.
People with heart failure sh
ould ma
ke exercise
a part of their daily routine. While you don’t
want to overdo it, the right amount of exercise
can make blood flow better and relieve some
symptoms.
Heart failure
is a normal
part of
growing old.
Even though most people with he
art fa
ilure are
elderly, it isn’t necessarily a part of aging. It’s
a condition that can be prevented and treated
with a good care plan.
Heart failure
happens
suddenly.
Unlike a heart attack, HF is a lo
ng-t
erm chronic
condition in most cases. It’s basically the result
of many conditions that harm the heart over
time.
17
HF MYTH
Strong and fit
people don’t
get heart
failure.
It’s important for life to stay fit, strong and active.
But that doesn’t guarantee a person won’
t get HF.
There are many causes. Fitness lessens the risk
of heart issues but it can’t totally do away with it.
Heart failure
only affects
old people.
HF is not a dire
ct result of growing old. Again,
i
t can result from many causes within the body.
Some conditions are more likely to occur in older
people. But even children and young adults may
have heart failure.
Women don’t
get HF.
While some people believe thi
s, more women
di
e of heart diseases than they do from breast
cancer.
It’s OK to be
overweight.
Busted!
Obesity in itself is a kind of disease. It can also
lead to diabetes and high blood pressure. Those
two conditions can trigger the chances for heart
failure.
HEART FAILURE
MythBusting
(Continued)
HEART FAILURE FACTS AND STATS
HF is equal among men and women.
Find out more
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Heart Failure Fact Sheet:
cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_
heart_failure.htm
18
EJECTION FRACTION
know your EF percent
WHAT IS EJECTION FRACTION?
EF is a measurement of how much blood is pumped out by the
left ventricle with each contraction. Knowing this measurement
is important in figuring out how well your heart pumps out
blood. It can help your doctors diagnose and track heart failure.
EF COMPARES...
the amount of blood in the heart to
the amount of blood pumped out.
EJECTION
FRACTION
is a measure of
how well your
heart pumps blood
from one chamber
to the next.
WHAT YOUR NUMBERS MEAN
NORMAL
Ejection
Fraction = 50
to 70 percent
blood is pumped
out during each
contraction.
You are comfortable
during activity.
BORDERLINE
Ejection
Fraction = 41
to 49 percent
blood is
pumped out
during each
contraction.
You
may notice some
symptoms during
activity.
REDUCED
Ejection Fraction
= at or less than 40
percent blood is
pumped out during
each contraction.
You may notice
symptoms even while
resting.
19
How much blood
IS PUMPED OUT?
NORMAL Ejection Fraction
50 - 70 percent is pumped
out during each contraction
BORDERLINE Ejection Fraction
41 - 49 percent is pumped
out during each contraction
REDUCED
Ejection Fraction
<40 percent is
pumped out
during each
contraction
So...
An ejection fraction of 60 percent means that 60
percent of the total amount of blood in the left
ventricle is pumped out with each heartbeat.
FYI
there are
two types
of ejection
fraction
heart
failure:
1. Preserved Ejection
Failure (HFpEF) — also
know
n as diastolic heart
failure. The heart muscle
contracts as normal but
the ventricles don’t relax
as they should during
filling (or when the
ventricles relax).
2. Reduced Ejection
Failure (HFrEF) —
also known as systolic
heart failure. The
heart muscle doesn’t
contract well. The heart
pumps out less oxygen-
rich blood to the body.
TESTS FOR MEASURING EF
(not all may be done):
• Echocardiogram (echo) —
most widely used test
• MUGA scan
• CT scan
• Cardiac catheterization
• Nuclear stress test
DO YOU KNOW YOUR EJECTION
FRACTION PERcENT?
DO YOU KNOW YOUR EJECTION
FRACTION PERcENT?
YES
NO
I WILL ASK MY DOCTOR
20
With good care and treatment,
many patients improve their ejection
fraction and live longer and healthier
lives. Your doctor or health
care provider will discuss
your options.
Find out more
Heart Rhythm Society:
Ejection Fraction:
hrsonline.org/Patient-
Resources/The-Normal-
Heart/Ejection-Fraction
BLOOD HEART
PRESSURE
and FAILURE
BLOOD PRESSURE: SYSTOLIC VS. DIASTOLIC
Do you know what the top and bottom blood pressure
numbers mean? The top number is the systolic reading. The
bottom number is the diastolic reading.
Systolic
Under
120
120 139
Greater than
or equal to
140
Diastolic
Under
80
80 89
Greater than
or equal to
90
KEEP UP THE
GOOD WORK
MAKE HEALTHY
LIFESTYLE
CHANGES
CHECK WITH YOUR
HEALTH CARE
PROVIDER AND
TAKE MEDICINE
AS PRESCRIBED
Systolic blood pressure (top number)
With every beat, the heart contracts and pushes blood
through the arteries to the rest of the body. This force makes
pressure on the arteries. This force is what is measured in
the systolic reading.
Even people with prehypertension are at a higher risk of
developing heart disease.
Diastolic blood pressure (bottom number)
This number shows the pressure in the arteries when the
heart rests between beats. This pressure is what is measured
in the diastolic reading.
21
Think of it this way...
The diastole heart means
it’s filling with blood. The
diastolic reading during
this time measures the
pressure in arteries.
The systole heart means
it’s pumping out blood. The
systolic reading during
this time measures the force
of pressure in the arteries.
Diastole
(filling)
Systole
(pumping)
It’s important to know both your systolic and diastolic blood
pressure numbers. It could save your life.
THE HEARTBREAK OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
When your blood pressure is under control, it helps your
heart maintain a workload it can manage. But high blood
pressure, or hypertension, can lead to heart failure.
High blood
pressure harms
the whole
circulatory system.
Heart failure means
that the heart isn’t
supplying enough
blood flow to the
rest of the body.
High blood pressure
leads to blocked
arteries.
High blood
pressure makes
the heart
work harder.
Narrowed
arteries affect the
blood’s ability to
flow through the
body. The heart
has to work
harder, adding to
its workload.
High blood pressure can
enlarge the heart and
harm it so it can’t supply
blood to the body.
The heart can thicken
and grow larger over time.
A slightly larger heart can
still pump blood, but if it
gets too large, it will have
a hard time meeting the
body’s needs for oxygen
and nutrients.
22
Find out more
Healthline: Hypertension Explained: How
to Understand Blood Pressure Readings
healthline.com/health/high-blood-pressure-
hypertension/blood-pressure-reading-explained
GOOD ADVICE, WELL TAKEN
TAKING MEDS AS PRESCRIBED
Drugs don’t work in people who don’t take them.
-- C. Everett Koop, U.S. Surgeon General, 1982 - 1989
When dealing with heart failure, it’s critical to follow
your doctor’s instructions to the letter.
It’s a simple equation:
TAKE YOUR MEDS
AS PRESCRIBED
GET BETTER
HEART FAILURE FACTS AND STATS
In 2011, Consumer Reports published a survey of 660
doctors, “What Doctors Wish Their Patients Knew.” By far,
the #1 complaint was that patients don’t take their doctors’
advice or follow treatment recommendations.
The Bottom Line
Taking your doctor’s advice leads to
recovery. Those who follow guidelines
and take their meds in the right dosage
at the right time often see their condition
improve, as well as their general health.
23
HEART FAILURE BY THE NUMBERS
50
Percentage of the 3.8 billion prescriptions written in the U.S.
each year that are taken incorrectly or not at all.
Many people feel poorly when starting out on meds and
stop taking them. Others don’t feel an improvement right
away and stop taking them. Some patients believe the meds
are making their condition worse and stop taking them. But
in most cases, the meds are working and will continue to do
their job when taken correctly.
FOLLOW YOUR DOCTOR’S ORDERS AND
TAKE ALL MEDS EXACTLY AS PRESCRIBED.
Taking medications as prescribed is a crucial part of
heart failure self-care. Not taking prescribed meds
leads to worsening symptoms and poor health that
causes higher rates of hospitalization and death.
REMEMBER:
If you’ve stopped taking your meds or feel badly while you’re
on them, talk to your doctors, nurses or care managers. They
can help you find ways to get back on your prescriptions
and fight the bad feelings.
24
MY HF TREATMENT PLAN:
medications
First THings first
Always take your meds as the doctor prescribes! Though you
may feel poorly when taking them at first or feel like they
aren’t working, trust in your meds and let them do their job.
EACH HEARTBEAT
IS MADE UP OF
TWO PARTS:
Pumping: the heart squeezes
to send blood out to the
organs and tissues
Filling: the heart relaxes to
take in blood.
HEART FAILURE FACTS AND STATS
Heart failure is responsible for more physician visits and more
hospitalizations than all forms of cancer combined.
STRESS HORMONES
When oxygen-rich blood can’t
reach the organs and tissues, stress
hormones and nerve signals tell
the arteries to tighten. When that happens, the heart has a harder
time pumping. Stress hormones also cause your body to hold on
to salt and water. The extra fluid builds up in the blood vessels and
makes the heart have to work harder. You’ll be thirstier with extra
salt and fluid in your body. But drinking more will only make the
issue worse.
MEDS TO THE RESCUE
Removing the excess fluid and
relaxing the tight arteries is the
job of the meds your doctor may
prescribe first. They’ll make it easier for your heart to do the filling
and pumping as it was intended. The doctor will most likely advise
you to eat less salt. This will ward off fluid building up, easing the
swelling and making it easier to breathe.
25
DOCTOR
KNOWS
BEST
For most heart failure patients, doctors
will prescribe a daily treatment of:
Taking three or more meds
Keeping a weight chart to watch for fluid buildup
Eating less salt and drinking less fluids
Balancing mild exercise and rest
Easing the demands on your heart when you’re
able to
HEART FAILURE FACTS AND STATS
Deaths from heart failure have gone down on average
by 12 percent per decade over the past 50 years.
Four Types
of Drugs
These are the kinds of drugs your doctor
may prescribe for you:
WHAT IT IS WHAT THEY DO
Diuretics
> Cause you to pee more
> Lessen the amount of blood your heart has to pump
> Block a certain stress hormone
> Save potassium that your body needs
Beta-blockers,
Alpha-blockers
or Beta- and
Alpha-blockers
> Slow the heart rate so the heart’s main
pumping chamber can fill
> Help open tight blood vessels
> Block stress hormones
> Lessen blood pressure
Digoxin
> Controls heart rate
ACE inhibitors,
ARBs and
ARNis
> Relax blood vessels
> Make the heart’s workload easier over time
26
DIURETICS/water pills
A
CLOSER
LOOK
Diuretics are also known as water
pills. They help the kidneys make
more urine and help you pass the
extra built-up fluids. They also help
get rid of the fluid in your lungs so you
can breathe easier. The downside is
that when you lie down at night, more
blood goes to your kidneys, making
more urine. So, frequent trips to the
bathroom at night are part of the plan.
When
your
heart is weak,
chances are
your body will hold
onto fluid. But taking
diuretics each day
and cutting down on
salt can keep the fluid
from building up.
Plan of Action
Weigh yourself daily. Look for fluid buildup. Call your doctor
right away if you notice a sudden weight gain and suspect fluid
buildup. Your doctor will have advice on making your heart’s
workload easier.
WARNING
When taking diuretics
always follow your
doctor’s orders. Taking
too much on your own
can cause serious
problems that may
even threaten your
life. If you find yourself
urinating a lot but
still holding fluid, try
eating less salt.
The Potassium
Problem
Many diuretics cause you to
lose the potassium your body
needs through the urine. Blood
potassium helps keep your
heartbeat stable. So, replacing
potassium — or taking certain
diuretics that spare the potassium
you have — is important. Regular
blood tests will tell if you need
more high-potassium foods or if
you should stay away from those
foods. Follow your doctor’s advice
for keeping your potassium at a
healthy level.
,
27
A
CLOSER
LOOK
ACE Inhibitors
AND ARBS
HEART FAILURE DEFINED
Angiotensin (noun): a peptide in the blood that
causes arteries to tighten and high blood pressure.
ACE = Angiotensin-converting enzyme
Used to treat heart failure, these drugs limit the amount of
angiotensin. Long term, they ease symptoms and keep heart
failure from getting worse. ACE inhibitors can prolong life when
used as prescribed. ACE inhibitors dilate or widen blood vessels.
This makes blood flow better. They block the harmful angiotensin
in the blood that narrows the blood vessels. They also control high
blood pressure, prevent kidney damage for those with diabetes
and fight off ongoing heart damage after a heart attack.
WARNING
Feeling weak and dizzy,
or having a cough
that lingers on, can
be side effects when
you start taking ACE
inhibitors. If you have
these symptoms after
taking ACE inhibitors,
tell your doctor. He or
she can change the
drug or dosage you’re
taking.
ARB = Angiotensin II
receptor blocker
ARBs block a substance that makes
blood vessels constrict and relax
the vessels. As a result, blood
pressure goes down. ARBs are
given when a patient can’t take
ACE inhibitors and they help keep
heart failure from getting worse.
These meds also help the body get
rid of water and salt though urine.
Don’t stop taking your ACE
inhibitor or ARB just because
you’re feeling better. Let your
doctor make that decision.
28
Beta-Blockers
A
CLOSER
LOOK
These types of drugs block the effects of certain
nerve signals and hormones. Once blocked, the
body’s arteries relax and the heart rate falls. The heart
pumps out more blood to the kidneys and salt and extra
fluid are passed through the urine. After two to three
months, those with heart failure are likely to get better.
Some Side Effects
You may feel some side effects when you first start taking
beta-blockers:
Holding fluid
Feeling more tired
Slower heartbeat
Feeling dizzy
These side effects don’t
last in most cases and
allow you to use the
treatment for long-term
care.
The Results Are In...
» Taking a beta-blocker or ACE
inhibitor improves heart failure
over time.
» Patients with a weak heart muscle
will live longer if they take an ACE
inhibitor along with a beta-blocker.
» To work best, take low doses at first
and increase slowly, such as every
two to four weeks. This will cut
down on the chances of side effects.
HEART
FAILURE FACTS
AND STATS
HF can affect
people of all
ages, from
children and
young adults to
the middle-aged
and the elderly.
Work closely with your doctor on getting t
o the correct
beta-blocker dose. The side effects don’t mean you’re on
the wrong medicine. You just need to carefully get to the
correct dose with your doctor’s help.
29
Digoxin
A
CLOSER
LOOK
This helpful drug blocks an enzyme
in the cardiac cells and tells the heart
muscle to pump harder. For those
with a weak-pumping heart and those
who still have the symptoms after
taking diuretics, an ACE inhibitor
or ARB or a beta-blocker, digoxin
may help. The drug is also used for
people with irregular heartbeats.
CAUTION
The side effects of taking digoxin are usually minor compared
to the good it does. But it can sometimes build up in the body
over time. This can cause:
Loss of appetite
Bad taste in the mouth
Nausea or vomiting
Blue or yellow vision
Confusion
Skipped heartbeats, palpitations or rapid beating
Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms.
Only take digoxin as your doctor advises. Taking too much
can cause other heart rhythm problems.
HEART FAILURE
BY THE NUMBERS
5
Percent of people in
their 60s with HF.
30
ARNIs
A
CLOSER
LOOK
31
ANGIOTENSIN-RECEPTOR/
NEPRILYSIN INHIBITOR
The newest heart failure guidelines
mention medications that are good at
relaxing blood vessels and lowering the
stress on your heart. These are called
ARNIs and sinoatrial node modulators.
Your heart failure specialist will know best
if you would benefit from one of these
medications.
SUMMING
UP
Take your medications exactly
how your doctor prescribed
them. Don’t take non-steroidal
(NSAID) medicines like Motrin
or Advil. They may hurt the
kidneys and reverse the effects
of other important heart failure
medications.
FIND OUT MORE
WebMD:
Heart Failure Treatment:
webmd.com/heart-
disease/heart-failure/
heart-failure-treatment
ROTATE ME!
DAILY MEDICINE SCHEDULE
Use this page to keep track of your medicines and when you take them. Enter the name of the
medicine in the first column and put a check mark in the boxes for the time(s) you take that
medicine each day. Keep this chart with you when you travel and go to doctor appointments.
32
MEDICINE
BEFORE
BREAKFAST
Enter time:
WITH
BREAKFAST
Enter time:
BEFORE
LUNCH
Enter
time:
WITH
LUNCH
Enter
time:
BEFORE
DINNER
Enter
time:
WITH
DINNER
Enter
time:
BEFORE
BEDTIME
Enter
time:
AT
BEDTIME
Enter
time:
DURING
NIGHT
Enter
time:
DAILY MEDICINE SCHEDULE
Use this page to keep track of your medicines and when you take them. Enter the name of the
medicine in the first column and put a check mark in the boxes for the time(s) you take that
medicine each day. Keep this chart with you when you travel and go to doctor appointments.
ROTATE ME!
33
MEDICINE
BEFORE
BREAKFAST
Enter time:
WITH
BREAKFAST
Enter time:
BEFORE
LUNCH
Enter
time:
WITH
LUNCH
Enter
time:
BEFORE
DINNER
Enter
time:
WITH
DINNER
Enter
time:
BEFORE
BEDTIME
Enter
time:
AT
BEDTIME
Enter
time:
DURING
NIGHT
Enter
time:
QUESTIONS TO ASK MY DOCTORS
QUESTIONS TO ASK MY DOCTORS
Use this page to write down any questions
you may have about your meds. Take this
book with you to your doctor visits and write
down the answers to your questions.
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
34
MY
TREATMENT
PLAN:
Lifestyle
Changes
Small changes,
Big Results
There’s no denying that a
diagnosis of heart failure means
making some lifestyle changes
are in order. Following your
doctor’s advice of diet, exercise,
giving up smoking and other
habits will lead to easing your
symptoms. It can slow the
progress of your HF and make
everyday life better. People with
mild to moderate heart failure
can often lead normal lives if
they adjust their routine for a
healthier lifestyle.
Breaking bad habits and adapting
to new lifestyles is rarely easy.
But doing so may just save your
life. And no bad habit is worth
cashing your life in for.
Change #1:
Stop Smoking
If you’ve never been a
smoker, great! You’re way
ahead of the curve on the
health spectrum and you
get to skip ahead past this
section. But if smoking has
been a part of your life for a
while, it’s really time to put
that habit to rest for good.
Here’s why:
Smoking can cause blood
vessels that feed into the
heart to clump or become
sticky. This makes it harder
for the heart to do its job.
HEART FAILURE
BY THE NUMBERS
480,000
The number of deaths caused by cigarette
smoking each year in the United States.
This is nearly one in five deaths.
35
Smoking makes
the risk of heart
disease go up.
IT:
»
Makes it harder to take
part in physical activity
» Raises the chances of
blood clotting
» Causes your DHL (good)
cholesterol to go down
» Raises your risk of artery
disease, stroke and heart
attacks
THE GOOD NEWS:
Those who quit smoking are
more likely to see their heart
failure symptoms get better.
Your lungs can start to heal
themselves as soon as you
stop harming them with more
smoke. You can prevent and
control heart disease. But you
have to follow your treatment
plan. Quitting smoking is a
big part.
Talk to your health care
team about ideas for
quitting. There are many
methods and your doctor
will have answers for you.
See smokefree.gov for
plans, programs and tips.
Change #2:
Lose or Stay at
the Same Weight
One of the signs of heart
failure is sudden weight gain
or weight loss. It can also
indicate that the condition
is getting worse. Weigh
yourself at the same time each
morning, before breakfast and
after urinating if you can. Let
your doctor know if you gain
three or more pounds in one
day, five or more pounds in
one week, or whatever amount
you were told to report.
The trick to losing weight is to
reduce calories going in and
increase the calories going
out. Eat less, exercise more.
See the upcoming sections on
eating healthy with HF and
exercising with HF.
36
Change #3:
Track Your Fluid
Intake Each Day
As mentioned earlier, heart
failure causes your body to hold
on to fluid. Your health care team
may tell you to limit how much
liquid you get. Diuretics will help
get rid of excess water and salt
and ease your heart’s workload.
Talk with your doctor about how
much liquid to drink every day.
Change #4:
Stay Away
From Alcohol
Some say that having one or
two drinks of alcohol a day is
good for the heart. For people
with coronary heart disease
and a normal heart muscle,
this may be true. But alcohol
is harmful for people with
HF. Heart failure weakens
the heart, of course. Because
drinking alcohol makes the
heart sluggish and can lead to
high blood pressure, it’s wise
to stay away from it. Some
people have heart failure only
because they drink alcohol
every day. This is called
alcoholic cardiomyopathy. In
these cases, the heart muscle
function may get better once
all alcohol is avoided.
Alcohol can interact badly
with HF meds. Certain beta-
blockers can lower blood
pressure by too much when
mixed with drinking alcohol.
Talk to your doctor about
drinking alcohol with your
condition. There are some
serious considerations to keep
in mind because alcohol:
May change how your meds
work
Can affect other health
conditions you have
Weakens the force of the
heart’s ability to pump
May cause or worsen an
irregular heart rhythm
37
Change #5:
Stay Away From
or Limit Caffeine
Since caffeine is a stimulant,
it could cause a weakened
heart to work harder than it
should.
Caffeine has many effects
on the body:
38
»
»
»
It stimulates the nervous
system
It releases fatty acids and
fatty tissue
It affects the kidneys and
increases urination, which
can cause dehydration
HEART FAILURE
FACTS AND STATS
Caffeine speeds up
the heart, causing
irregular heartbeats.
It also constricts
blood vessels and
forces the heart to
squeeze with a
faster force.
You’ll find caffeine in coffee,
tea, soft drinks, chocolate and
some nuts. It isn’t yet know
n
if drinking a lot of caffeine
makes the risk of heart
disease go up. Studies show
that moderate coffee drinking
doesn’t seem to be harmful.
For heart failure patients,
doctors suggest drinking only
a moderate amount of caffeine
each day. Limit your intake to
a cup or two of coffee.
Change #6:
Manage Stress
Regardless of what stage you’re at in your life, stress is never
good on your body. Take 15 to 20 minutes a day to sit quietly,
breathe deep and picture a calming scene. It can greatly help
to ease stress. Meditating or taking a yoga class is also good, if
your doctor approves it. When you feel angry, stop and count
to 10 before acting on your emotions. This will help you ease
the stress and better deal with the situation.
»
39
HEART FAILURE FACTS AND STATS
Unhealthy habits that can raise the risk for heart failure
include smoking tobacco, eating foods high in fat, cholesterol
and salt, not getting enough exercise and being obese.
Change #7:
Keep Track of
Your Syptoms
Any changes to your symptoms
that concern you should be
noted and reported to your
doctor or health care team.
Use the Self-Check Plan on
the following page to help
manage your condition.
With heart failure, you and
your caregivers need to pay
close attention to any changes
in your symptoms. Notify your
doctor right away if you find
a new condition or symptom
that gets worse.
WARNING
signs TO
WATCH FOR:
Rapid weight gain
» Trouble sleeping
» Pain or swelling in the belly
»
»
»
»
Shortness of breath when
at rest
Swelling in the lower legs
and ankles
Frequent dry, hacking
cough
Feeling tired most of the
time
» Loss of appetite
» Feeling sad or depressed
REMINDER!
Don’t forget to weigh
yourself every day
and write down the
results. If you notice a
weight gain in a short
period of time, be
sure to let your doctor
know.
ROTATE ME!
_______
Heart Failure SELF-CHECK PLAN
Use this form to check off how you feel on
a daily or weekly basis.
> »
CODE GREEN: CONDITION — EXCELLENT
Shortness of
Breath:
No new or
worsening instances
Physical
Activity:
Normal level
for me
Swelling:
No worsening
instances in the
feet, legs or belly
Weight:
Weight is stable:
Weight:
Chest Pain:
No signs of pain
GREAT! CONTINUE TO Check weight daily »Take meds as prescribed »See doctor regularly
CODE YELLOW: CONDITION — CAUTION
Dry
Hacking
Cough
Shortness
of Breath:
Get
s worse
with activity
Swelling:
Swelling getting
worse in legs,
feet and ankles
Weight:
Sudden weight gain
of 2 - 3 pounds in a
24 hour span, or 5
pounds in a week
Discomfort
or Swelling
in the Belly
Trouble
Sleeping
CHECK IN WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE TEAM.
Based on your symptoms, you may need to: » Contact your doctor » Ask about changing your meds
CODE RED: CONDITION — WARNING!
Frequent
Dr y,
Hacking
Cough
Shortness
of Breath
at Rest
More
Discomfort
or Swelling
in the
Lower Body
Sudden Weight
Gain of More
Than 2 - 3 Pounds
in a Day or 5
Pounds in a Week
Dizziness,
Confusion,
Sadness or
Depression
Loss of
Appetite
More
Trouble
Sleeping;
Can’t Lie
Flat
CALL YOUR DOCTOR OR 911 RIGHT AWAY! YOU NEED TO BE SEEN!
40
Change #8:
Monitor Your
Blood Pressure
Along with checking your blood
pressure in your doctor’s office, it’s
a good idea to monitor it at home.
Keeping track of your blood pressure
readings will help you and your
health care team understand what’s
going on with your condition.
41
TOP #
Systolic
BOTTOM #
Diastolic
YOUR
CATEGORY
WHAT
TO DO
Below 120 And below 80
Normal blood
p
ressure
Maint
ain or
adopt a healthy
lifestyle.
Between
120-139
Or between
80-89
Prehypertension
Maintain or
adopt a healthy
lifestlye.
Between
140 -159
Or between
90-99
Stage 1
hypertens
ion
Maintain or adopt
a healthy lifestlye.
Ta
lk to your doctor if
you don’t reach your
BP goal in a month.
160 or
higher
Or 100 or
higher
Stage 2
hypertension
M
aintain or adopt
a healthy lifestyle.
Tal
k to your doctor
about taking meds
to control your BP.
TIPS FOR CHECKING YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE
Empty your bladder. A full bladder could produce readings that aren’t
correct.
Find a quiet place to sit. You’ll need to be able to hear your
heartbeat.
Roll up the sleeve on your arm or remove any tight-sleeved clothing.
Rest in a chair beside a table for five to 10 minutes. Make sure your
arm is resting comfortably at heart level.
Sit up straight with both feet on the floor and your back against the
chair. Rest your forearm on the table with the palm of your hand
facing up.
Follow your doctor’s instructions or those that came with your blood
pressure equipment. Because there are several different types of
devices, you’ll want to make sure you follow the directions exactly.
Use the Blood Pressure log on the next
page to record your readings daily.
ROTATE ME!
MY BLOOD PRESSURE LOG
DAT E
TIME SYSTOLIC
(top #)
DIASTOLIC
(bottom #)
PULSE COMMENTS
Continue the log in this format on a separate piece of paper.
Share the information with your health care practitioner.
42
Change #9:
Get the Right
Amount of Sleep
The right blend of activity
and sleep is crucial to
maintaining heart health.
If you have trouble sleeping
comfortably at night, try
sleeping with your head
propped up on pillows. Don’t
eat big meals or nap close to
bedtime. Napping after lunch
or putting your feet up for a
few minutes every couple of
hours is a smart way to relax
and rest during the day.
Let your doctor know if you
snore at night or feel sleepy
during the day. A sleep study
may help find out if you have
sleep apnea. These pauses in
your breathing patterns while
sleeping can affect your heart.
Change #10:
Follow Your
Doctor’s Guidelines
for Sexual Activity
Many people with heart
failure can still be sexually
active. Pick a time when
you’re feeling rested and
free of stress. Don’t be
shy about talking with
your doctor about heart
failure and your sex life.
He or she will offer good
and honest advice.
43
BEST ADVICE
Don’t skip the meds that could help with heart failure
symptoms because you’re concerned they could affect your
sex drive or function. Your heart health should always be
Concern No. 1!
Change #11:
Take Care to Not
Catch the Flu or
Pneumonia
These sicknesses pose greater
risks for people dealing with
any heart condition. Lung
infections like pneumonia keep
your body from using oxygen
as well as it should. This makes
more work for your heart as it
pumps blood through the body.
The extra stress on the heart is
a burden for those with HF.
A yearly flu vaccine and a one-time pneumococcal
vaccine guards you against these threats. Ask your
doctor or pharmacist about getting these.
Change
#12:
Wear the
Right Clothing
Don’t wear tight-fitting
socks or stockings like
thigh-high or knee-high
hose. These can slow down
blood flow to the legs and
cause clots. Don’t subject
yourself to extreme heat
or cold. Dress in layers on
colder days so you can add
or remove clothes as you
need.
LIVING THE
LIFESTYLE
It isn’t easy making
these adjustments to
your life. Changing
the way you’ve done
something for decades
can be a great challenge.
New restrictions and
responsibilities are never
a piece of cake. But the
upside is that when you
work these changes into
your daily routine, you
can make a real difference
in the quality of your life.
44
FIND OUT MORE MedicineNet: What Lifestyle
Changes Can Help Treat Congestive Heart Failure?
medicinenet.com/congestive_heart_failure_chf_
overview/page10.htm
MY TREATMENT PLAN:
The Surgery Option
When heart failure becomes
too severe for meds and
lifestyle changes alone to
help, surgery may be the best
option. Bypass surgery can
often make blood flow to the
heart better. This is especially
true when a fatty blockage or
a clot in an artery is about to
harm part of the heart. Bypass
can keep new damage from
occurring when there is
severe narrowing in one or
more arteries.
HEART FAILURE
DEFINED:
Coronary artery bypass
graft [CABG] (noun): an
option for certain patients
with severe narrowing and
blockages of the heart
arteries. The bypass graft
for a CABG can be a vein
from the leg or an inner
chest wall artery. CABG
surgery is one of the most
commonly performed major
operations.
45
CARDIAC
ELECTRICAL
DEVICES
Surgeons can often provide relief to HF
patients by implanting a device into the
heart to regulate beating and blood flow.
Here’s a quick overview of these devices.
BIVENTRICULAR
PACEMAKER
Some patients with HF have an
electrical delay in their heart muscle
contraction. The delay causes the
heart chambers to not beat in
the right rhythm. An implanted
pacemaker forces the heart to beat in
the right sequence. This can greatly
help with HF symptoms and give you
more energy.
ICD (Internal Cardio
Defibrillator)
An ICD stops life-threatening heart
rhythms before they happen. The
device senses rhythms and sends a
shock to the heart to try to stop the
harmful rhythm. Like a pacemaker,
the ICD also keeps the heart
beating in a regular pace.
NOTE:
You must stay clear of large
electromagnetic fields if you
have an ICD.
VAD (Ventricular
Assist Device)
A VAD is a small pump placed in
the chest that boosts blood flow
from a lower heart chamber
to a large body artery. VAD
pumps have drive-line tubing
that comes through the skin.
It connects to a control pack
that’s powered by batteries
or AC power. There are many
precautions and steps for taking
care of yourself when you have
this device. Your surgeon and
doctors will discuss these with
you. VAD patients can live at
home with family support and
often have more energy, take
fewer meds and have a better
quality of life.
Inside
Outside
CARDIAC CAUTION
If you have a cardiac
device, you’ll have to
take a few precautions.
Having any of the
devices calls for
regular follow-ups and
monitoring. Follow all
of the directions given
to you when using
cardiac devices.
46
HEART TRANSPLANT
When a heart can no longer support the body it lives within, a
heart transplant may become necessary. Those with severe heart
failure who meet the guidelines and have healthy other organs may
be suitable for a transplant. This procedure is a serious process.
HEART FAILURE FACTS AND STATS
There are far more patients who need a heart transplant than
there are heart donors.
A heart transplant patient will
require costly medicines and
lifelong f
ollow-up to ensure
that the body won’t reject the
new heart. While waiting for a
new heart, a patient in severe
need may use a VAD system
to bridge the gap until a new
heart is available.
In a heart transplant, skilled
surgeons take out the damaged
heart and replace it with a
healthy one from a donor who
has been declared brain-dead.
Doctors must find a heart that
closely matches the tissue of
a patient getting the heart.
This process can take a long
time. The closer the new heart
matches the patient’s, the better
the chances his or her body will
accept the new heart.
During a transplant, doctors
hook the patient to a heart-lung
machine. This machine takes
over the functions of those
organs during the surgery. After
the new heart is connected, the
surgeon reconnects the major
blood vessels. The new heart is
ready to do its job.
There are only about 2,500
people who receive heart
transplants each year.
Because of the shortage
of donors, this number
is very low. The outlook
remains good for those
with transplants during the
first few years after surgery.
47
HEART FAILURE BY THE
NUMBERS
90
Average percentage of
patients who live for a year or
more after a heart transplant.
FIND OUT MORE
Food and Drug
Administration: Devices that
Keep the Heart Beating:
fda.gov/ForConsumers/
ConsumerUpdates/
ucm048705.htm
National Heart, Lung, and
Blood Institute: Heart
Transplant:
nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/
heart-transplant
HEART FAILURE,
DIET
AND
Nutrition
EAT TO LIVE
The proper diet is a critical part
of the HF treatment process. The
first and foremost point in main-
taining a healthy diet: cut way
back on salt. Salt/sodium makes
the body hold fluid. This extra
water collects in the lungs, legs
and belly. Then it causes swell-
ing and makes it hard to breathe.
Cutting out the salt helps get rid
of that extra fluid.
SALT BUSTERS
One teaspoon of table salt has
about 2,300 milligrams of
sodium. If you’re treating heart
failure, your daily intake should
be about 2,000 mg.
Q:
What are the most
harmful ingredients in
a heart failure patient’s
diet?
A:
Salt and
alcohol.
HF BY THE NUMBERS
4,000 - 10,000
The amount of sodium in
milligrams that the average
American takes in each day.
2,000
The amount of sodium in
milligrams that a person
with HF should take in a
day.
HINTS FOR LOWERING
SALT IN YOUR DIET:
>> Don’t cook with salt or add it to foods at t
he table.
>> Eat fresh vegetables or unsalted canned or frozen veggies.
>> Season foods with fresh or dried herbs, veggies or no-salt
seasoning.
>> Bake, broil, boil, steam, roast or poach foods without salt.
>> When dining out, order foods to be prepared without salt.
>> Stay away from canned veggies and soups and soy sauce.
>> Try out different spices on your meals that don’t contain salt.
>> Go light on salad dressings. Most contain a lot of salt.
>> Don’t eat processed meats like sausage, hot dogs and salami.
>> Meet with a dietitian who will help you find out where salt
is hiding in your diet and for alternate seasoning tips.
>> Try to stick to three meals each day and limit snacking.
>> Find a low-sodium cookbook for meal ideas.
>> Have fruit for dessert instead of baked goods.
>> Limit cheese. Most of it is high in sodium.
>> Eat fresh meats, chicken and fish.
48
LOW-SODIUM FOODS = OK TO EAT
Fruits and
Veggies
Freshorfrozen
Canned(unsalted)
Drinks
Freshorfrozenfrui
tjuices
Canne
dlow
-sodiumornosaltaddedtomatoand
vegetable juice
Instantbreakfast—limittoonecupperday
Lemonade—frozenconcentrateorfresh
Dairy
Upto3cupsadayofliquidordrymilk
(skim o
r 1 perc
ent)
Nosaltaddedcottagecheese
Ricotta-partskim,upto1/2cupaday
Hardcheeses—upto1ounceaday
Softmargarineormayonnaise-upto2tbsp.aday
Nonfatandlow-fatsourcream
Meats,
Poultry,
Fish,
Nuts
Fish,freshorfr
ozen(notbreaded),cannedtunaand
salmon (not processed in salt)
Chi
ckenorturkey(notprocessedinsalt)
Leancutsofbeef,veal,porkandlamb
Driedbeans,peas,lentils(notcannedinhighsalt)
Nutsorseeds(unsalted,dry-roasted)
Unsaltedpeanutbutter—upto1tbsp.aday
Tofu(soybeancurd)
Breads,
Cereals,
Grains
Loafbreadandye
astrolls—3slicesaday
Melbatoast,matzocrackers
Pitabread,tacoshellsorcorntortillas
Cookedcereals:corngrits,farina,oatmeal,oatbran,
cream of rice or wheat
Puffedriceorwhea
t,shreddedwheatoranycereal
with100-150mgsodium—limit1cupaday
Wheatgerm
Popcorn—nosaltorfatadded
Rice(enrichedwhiteorbrown)orpasta
Cooking
Ingredients,
Seasonings
Cornstarch,tapioca
Cornmealorflour(notself-rising)
Freshordriedherbs,salt-freeherbseasoning
Lemons,limes,onions,celery,etc.
Freshgarlic,gingerorvinegar
Louisiana-typehotsauce—1tspaday
Low-sodiumbakingpowder,yeast,onionorgarlic
powder
Tomatopaste,unsaltedtomatoesandsauce
Waterchestnuts
Carobpowder,cocoapowder
Low-sodiumsaladdressings
Sweets
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• Flavoredgelatins
• Frozenjuicebars,fruitice,sorbet,sherbet
• Sugar,honey,molasses,syrup
• Jelly,jams,preserves,applebutter
• Grahamandanimalcrackers,figbars,
ginger snaps
49
HIGH-SODIUM FOODS = NOT OK TO EAT
Veggies
Salted canned vegetables
Sauerkraut
Drinks
Sports drinks
Canned tomato or vegetable juice (unless no salt)
Dairy
Store-bought buttermilk
Canned milk (unless diluted and used as regular milk)
Eggsubstitute—limitto1/2cupaday
Store bought eggnog
Butter and margarine with trans fat
Certain cheese with more than 200 mg per serving:
American and other processed cheese, bleu,
parmesan, feta and regular cottage cheese
Meats
and Meat
Substitutes
Canned meat and fish
Cured meats (dried beef, bacon, corned beef),
any meat processed with ham
(ham, some chicken and pork)
All sausages and hot dogs
Rotisserie chicken
Sandwich meats/coldcuts
Regular peanut butter
Salted nuts
Breads,
Cereals,
Grains
Self-rising flour and corn meal
Prepared mixes (waffle, pancake, muffin, cornbread
and all frozen waffles)
Instant cooked cereals
Cooking
Ingredients,
Seasonings
Miso and cooking wine
Pre-seasoned mixes for tacos, pasta, chili, etc.
Coating mixes
Soy, teriyaki or Asian fish sauce
Baking soda and powder (use low-sodium type)
Olives, pickles
Pretzels, chips, salty snacks
Light salt, seasoning salt, sea salt, meat tenderizer,
garlic salt, MSG, kosher salt, celery salt, onion salt
Sweets
Prepared mixes or store-bought pies, puddings,
cake, muffins, etc.
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
50
51
WHAT
’
S ON THE LABEL
SAYS IT ALL
Learn how to read food labels and add up the sodium content
of the food and beverages you buy. Look for the amount of
sodium listed on the Nutrition Facts. Make sure your daily totals
are within the guidelines that your doctor lays out. Reading
labels can teach you how to find low-sodium foods to take the
place of the high salt content foods you used to eat.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 hotdog link (57 grams)
Servings per container 8
Amount Per Serving
Calories 170 Calories from Fat 140
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 16g 25%
Saturated Fat 5 g 25%
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 45 mg 16%
Sodium 480 mg 20%
Total Carbohydrate <1g 9%
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 20% Iron 6%
Calcium 6%
*Percent Daily Values are based on
a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values
may be higher or lower depending on
your calorie needs:
Calories 2,000 2,500
Total Fat Less than 65g 80g
Sat Fat Less than 20g 25g
Cholesterol Less than 300mg 300mg
Total Carbohydrate 300g 375g
Dietary Fiber 25g 30g
1g Fat - 9 calories
1g Carbohydrates -4 calories
1g Protein -4 calories
LIMIT THE LIQUIDS
Your doctor may advise
you to limit liquids to 2
quarts (64 ounces) a day.
Account for all bever-
ages, water taken with
meds and foods with
a high liquid makeup if
your doctor asks you to
track your daily intake.
Even if you’re not told to
limit fluids, don’t drink
large amounts and stay
away from food with a
high moisture content.
Steer Clear
of Alcohol
As mentioned earlier
in this book, alcohol
poses many problems
for patients with heart
failure. If your condition
is alcohol-related, it’s
especially crucial for
you to stay away from
alcoholic drinks. Alcohol
weakens the heart.
Doing away with it could
make your condition
much better.
TIPS FOR DINING OUT
We all enjoy the convenience and break from preparing meals
that comes with dining out once in a while. It’s also a fun way to
celebrate special events. You can still watch your sodium and
fluid intake when at a restaurant. Follow these tips when dining
out to keep your health in mind.
Ask your server for low-sodium meal options.
Order grilled, baked or broiled meat, chicken or
fish that has no added salt, sauces or gravy. Use
lemon pepper for flavoring.
Choose steamed rice, baked potato or plain
noodles instead of french fries, mashed potatoes
or fried rice.
Have a salad if the veggies aren’t fresh or frozen.
Use oil and vinegar dressing. Ask for dressing on
the side and use just a small bit.
When at fast food restaurants, ask for the printed
nutrition info. Stay away from the high fat and
sodium choices.
Don’t use condiments that are high in salt, such as
pickles, relish and olives. Use a small amount of
ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard.
HEART FAILURE FACTS
AND STATS
A single packet of hot sauce
from a fast food restaurant can
contain 210 mg of sodium,
or 10 percent of your daily
allotment.
BE PATIENT
Changing food habits is a
special skill. It takes time and
practice. Taste buds need three
weeks to lose their taste for
salt. Get help from your family
and friends and set realistic
goals.
FIND OUT MORE WebMD:
Heart Failure and a Low-Salt Diet:
webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/low-sodium-eating
52
53
MY HEALTHY
SHOPPING LIST
Veggies
GRAINS
FRUITS DA I RY
Protein/Meats
HEART FAILURE AND FITNESS
Talk it out/walk it out
Before starting any exercise and fitness plan, it’s always best
to talk to your doctor first. A stress test will help your health
team figure out the best exercise plan for you. A light walking
program is usually a great place to start.
Gradual exercise training many times lessens the symptoms of
HF. It also makes your energy level and overall quality of life go
up. Exercises like treadmill, walking, swimming and biking use
the large muscle groups.
WHY EXERCISE MATTERS
Makes the heart and cardiovascular system stronger
Lessens heart disease risk factors, such as high blood
pressure and obesity
Helps circulation and lets your body use oxygen better
Makes your heart failure symptoms better
Gives you more energy to be more active without
getting tired or short of breath
Improves muscle tone and strength
Improves balance and joint flexibility
Makes bones stronger
Cuts down on body fat to help you reach a healthy weight
Helps get rid of stress, tension, anxiety and depression
Boosts your self-image and self-esteem
NOTE
Always check with your doctor or health care team
member before starting an exercise program. They
can help you find a program that matches your level
of fitness and activity.
54
Fitness Questions for
my Health Care Team
Q: How much exercise should I do each day?
A:
Q: How often can I exercise in a week?
A:
Q: What kinds of exercises should I do?
A:
Q: What kind of exercises should I NOT do?
A:
Q: Will any of my meds interfere with exercising?
A:
TYPES OF EXERCISE
FLEXIBILITY/
WARMUP
AEROBIC STRENGTHENING
Slow lengthening of
the muscles
» Stretching arms
and legs before
and after ex
ercising
helps prep the
muscles for activity
» Helps ward off
injury and muscle
strain
» Flexibility exercises:
stretching, tai chi,
yoga
» These exercises give
you better balance,
range of motion and
keep joints flexible
» Steady physical
activity using large
muscle groups
» Strengthens the
heart and lungs
» Makes the body’s
ability to use
oxygen better
» Aerobic exercises
include: walking,
jogging, jumping
rope, bicycling
(stationary or
outdoor), cross-
country skiing,
skating, rowing,
low-impact aerobics
or water aerobics
» Repeated
muscle
contractions
(tightening)
until the muscle
becomes tired
» Strength
training consists
of lifting
weights or
using resistance
(tubing or
bands) to
strengthen the
skeletal muscles
55
»
HEART FAILURE FACTS AND STATS
The American Heart Association confirms that aerobic exercise is
safe and useful for people with heart failure. Heart doctors often
recommend walking on a treadmill and cycling on a stationary bike for
their patients with HF.
FITNESS TIPS &
GUIDELINES
Find an exercise you enjoy that doesn’t tire you out quickly.
If you’re too winded to talk during an exercise, don’t do it.
Never try to lift overly heavy objects.
Wait at least 90 minutes after eating a meal before aerobic
exercise.
Choose an activity you enjoy and have fun. Exercise isn’t
torture! You’re more likely to stick with an activity if it’s
something you enjoy.
Always warm up for five minutes first to lessen the stress
on your heart and muscles.
Start out slow with any exercise and build up gradually in
intensity and length of time.
Stay hydrated but keep your fluid intake restrictions in
mind.
Dress for the weather conditions if outside. Wear
comfortable footwear that protects your feet.
Cool down after your workout for five minutes. Cooling
down doesn’t mean sitting or lying. This could cause you
to get dizzy or have heart palpitations. Simply wind down
from whatever exercise you were doing, slowing down
and letting your heart rate and breathing return to normal.
Find a friend or group of friends to walk with. Starting a
fitness group can help keep each other on track.
Keep an exercise chart like the one on the following page.
Record the date, what exercise you performed, the time
spent and whether you finished your goal for the day.
FIND OUT MORE
heartfailurematters.org: Activity and Exercise
heartfailurematters.org/en_GB/What-can-you-do/
Activity-and-exercise
56
ROTATE ME!
MY EXERCISE CHART
Use this chart to keep on track with your exercise routine.
DAT E EXERCISE REPETITIONS/TIME SPENT FINISHED
Continue the log in this format on a separate piece of paper.
Share the information with your health care practitioner.
57
COPING AND
SUPPORT
HOPING AND COPING
The changes to one’s life who is dealing with heart failure
can mount up fast. Sadness, worry and fear are natural at
this time. Questions about your quality of life will weigh on
you. Learning how to cope with your feelings and finding
help when you need it, will help you live better with HF.
ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
There’s no doubt that heart failure can take a toll on your
emotions. Breathing trouble and other HF symptoms can
cause a great deal of anxiety. The idea that you can’t do
the things you used to can make you feel depressed and
low. These are common feelings. Your doctor can treat
depression and anxiety. Tell him or her if your worries and
fears are becoming a burden. Counseling and medicine
may help.
Sometimes changing the way you think can change the way
you feel. Have a heart-to-heart with yourself and try to turn
your negative thoughts into positive ones.
FINDING SUPPORT
The emotional support of your family and friends can go
a long way to helping you cope. There are heart failure
support groups that you can join. These groups are often
made up of fellow HF sufferers who have learned from their
situations and can offer advice and insight.
There are face-to-face
groups that meet regularly
and online groups that
connect in a virtual arena.
Your health care team
can lead you to these
community resources.
Local churches and
volunteer centers often
have programs that provide
meals, transportation and
errand services for people
in need.
FIND OUT MORE
American Heart Association Support Network:
supportnetwork.heart.org/home
58
The future of Heart failure
YOUR LONG-TERM OUTLOOK
Medication and lifestyle changes can turn your life around for
the better. Your outlook depends on how far along your HF is.
Other health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure
play a part as well. The earlier your heart failure is diagnosed
and treated, the better your outlook for recovery. Your doctor
will know the best treatment plan for you.
LOOKING
AHEAD
Treating heart failure has come
a long way in the past couple
of decades. Medications that
didn’t exist 30 years ago are
now common in the treatment of
the disease. Electronic devices
implanted in the body can
regulate a heartbeat. In the future,
changes in treatments for heart
failure will be grounded in gene
therapies, implanted cells and
regeneration of damaged tissues
and cells.
59
THE MOST IMPORTANT CONCEPT,
REVISITED There is good evidence in the
treatment of heart failure that guideline-directed
medical therapy is the key to getting better. Following
your doctor’s instructions and taking your meds as
prescribed can reverse and remodel what has happened
to your heart. There is hope for a healthy heart, with the
damage caused by heart failure to be reversed.
Stay tuned. Stay healthy.
MY HEart failure ACTION PLAN
I WILL COMMIT TO DO THE FOLLOWING
FOR MY HEART HEALTH
ACTION
Take all meds as prescribed by my doctor and keep
track of them
Keep track of my weight every day and take the results
to my doctor
Keep track of my blood pressure
Write down questions for my doctor
Keep the contact info for my health team close by and ready
Limit my salt intake and record my intake daily
Stay away from or limit alcohol
Stay away from or limit caffeine
Reduce my emotional stress
Protect myself from extreme heat or cold
Lessen my cholesterol levels
Stay away from people who have colds or the flu
Talk to my doctor before starting an exercise plan
Maintain a fitness chart
Take precautions to not get blood clots
Get the right amount of sleep
Follow my doctor’s guidelines for sexual activity
Lose or stay the same weight
Track my fluid intake each day
Keep track of my symptoms and share them with my doctor
Keep all of my follow-up appointments
60
Make as many copies of this checklist as you need. It’s important to understand that the
items on this list should be done constantly, not just one time.
61
WHERE are you now?
62
WHERE are you now?
63
MY NOTES
64
MY NOTES
RESOURCES
RESOURCES
American Heart Association
Heart.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Heart Disease
cdc.gov/heartdisease
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
1-800-663-4227
cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare.html
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
301-592-8573
nhlbi.nih.gov
Eldercare Locator
1-800-677-1116
eldercare.gov
Heart Failure Society of America
hfsa.org
WomenHeart: The National Coalition for
Women with Heart Disease
womenheart.org
Food and Drug Administration: How to Understand
and Use the Nutrition Facts Label
fda.gov/Food/LabelingNutrition/ucm274593.htm
HeartFailure.org
CHFpatients.com
© 2017 Centene Corporation. All rights reserved. All materials are exclusively
owned by Centene Corporation and are protected by United States and
international copyright law. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
distributed, displayed, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, without the prior written permission of Centene Corporation.
You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice.
MCARE17-00031E.
Heart
Heart
Failure
Heart Failure is a serious
condition. When the heart
is weakened and can’t
pump blood to the organs
and tissues, it affects
many other areas of the
body. If you’ve recently
been diagnosed with
heart failure, this booklet
can help you through the
treatment process.
failure
Diagnosis
and definitions
Your health team
Treatment plans
Diet and nutrition
Fitness
Coping
and support
HF action plan
And more
MADE IN
THE U.S.A.
Because Where’s It @?
Media cares about the
environment, this book was
printed on recycled paper.
Created by MICHELLE BAIN
Design by FOX SMITH
ISBN: 978-0-9971203-3-2
Download
Save PDF to desktop
Email
Email completed PDF
Send for Signing
Email for others to sign
Print
Print document
Choose a Field
Click on a field and
select the person that should complete it
Want to add a signature?
You can add a signature field
and assign it to someone else
to sign
Choose a Field
Click on a field and
select the person that should complete it

Taking Care Of Your Heart Failure (Superior HealthPlan)

This document is locked as it has been sent for signing.

You have successfully completed this document.

Other parties need to complete fields in the document. You will recieve an email notification when the document has been completed by all parties.

This document has been signed by all parties.

Completed 22 February 2021

Message

View Audit Log
Print With Audit Log
Duplicate Document