Heart Failure Treatment
Early-Stage Heart Failure Treatments
Healthy Living
During all stages of heart failure, simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference. Following the guidelines for healthy living and your physician's instructions can help relieve some of the symptoms, reduce the strain on your heart and improve your overall health.
Guidelines for healthy living:
Limit the following risk factors:
- Avoid alcohol or limit your intake to one drink a day (12 ounces of beer, five ounces of wine or one and a half ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits)
- Don't smoke. If you currently smoke, stop. Work with your physician to identify an appropriate smoking cessation program. Even if you have been smoking most of your adult life, stopping now will improve your health.
- Minimize stress
- Reduce salt intake
Follow these practices:
- Eat healthy. Avoid fatty, processed and fried foods; eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Discuss sodium intake with your physician. Learn how much sodium, fat and calories are in the foods you eat, and learn to read nutrition labels. Learn about the nutritional content of foods you commonly eat. Learn which options are healthy choices to make when dining out.
- Exercise daily*
- Control your blood sugar if you have diabetes
- Monitor your weight daily
It's never too late to start. Take it one day at a time and make the most of each day!
*Be sure to consult your physician first to determine your appropriate level of exercise.
