Heart Failure

Your Role in Your Recovery

What is heart failure?

Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure (CHF), occurs when your heart can’t pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs. It can leave you weak, tired and unable to do your normal, everyday activities. You can’t reverse many conditions that lead to heart failure, but heart failure can often be treated with good results.

What can I do when I go home?

• Weigh yourself daily. Write down your weights and bring a record to your physician visits.
• Follow a low-salt diet and fluid restrictions if ordered.
• Take your medications.
• Be as active as you can. Your physician will tell you how much you can do when you leave.
• Know what symptoms to report to your physician—like chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, cough, increased swelling of ankles or feet, weight gain of 2 or more pounds in a day or 4 more or pounds in a week, palpitations, weakness or fatigue.
• Follow up with your physician as instructed or call with any questions or concerns.
• If you smoke, stop smoking.
• Keep a current list of medications in your wallet.

Why is this important to me?

• Treating your heart failure may improve your ability to function without tiring so easily.
• Treatment decreases symptoms and allows you to do what you enjoy.