Living with Heart Failure

There are currently about five million Americans living with congestive heart failure. In fact, it’s one of the most common reasons people 65 and older go into the hospital. The words “heart failure” sound alarming, but they do not mean that your heart has suddenly stopped working. Instead, heart failure means your heart is not pumping as well as it should to deliver oxygen- rich blood to your body’s cells.

How Is Heart Failure Treated?

The cornerstones for treating heart failure are medications and lifestyle changes. These are examples of medications often used to treat heart failure:

• ACE Inhibitors - lower blood pressure and decrease the heart’s workload.
• Diuretics - help your body get rid of extra water and sodium.
• Beta-blockers - lower blood pressure and slow heart rate.
• Vasodilators - lower blood pressure and open and relax blood vessels.
• Digoxin - helps your heart pump better.

As you can see, doctors often need to prescribe multiple medications for heart failure because each one treats a different symptom. These medications can do their job only if taken properly. Skipping doses, not refilling a prescription, taking more or less than the prescribed dose or not following a doctor’s instructions all increase the likelihood that your condition will worsen.

Here are some tips for taking your medication as directed:

• Use a weekly pillbox - a box with seven separate compartments for the days of the week. Some    pillboxes also have slots for four different times of day: morning, noon, late afternoon and bedtime.
• Take medications at the same time of day, so it becomes a routine.
• Link taking your medications with a particular activity, such as brushing your teeth. This will help you remember that it’s time to take your pills.
• Keep a written record of when medications are taken and bring it with you to your visits with your doctor.

Getting good medical care, following doctor’s orders and learning about heart failure will make it easier to live with your condition. You will feel better if you take an active role in your care. Here are some suggestions:

• If you smoke, quit.
• Learn to control high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• If you have diabetes, learn to control your blood sugar.
• Eat a sensible diet that is low in calories, salt and saturated fat.
• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
• Monitor your daily fluid intake. Too little or too much can be a problem. Ask your doctor what is right for you.
• Weigh yourself at the same time each day to watch for fluid buildup.
• Start an exercise program that has been approved by your doctor.
• Monitor your symptoms, but don’t let them run your life.
• Develop an action plan with your doctor. If you develop new or worsening symptoms of heart failure, be sure you know what action you can take yourself, when to call with problems and when to get emergency treatment.

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