About Heart Failure

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Alcohol and Tobacco
Weight and Exercise
Low Salt Diet
Vaccines
Weight Monitoring    
                                                                                                                                                                  Maintain a healthy weight and monitor sudden weight changes. If you are overweight, lose weight
 
because excess weight puts extra strain on your heart. Weigh yourself daily before having breakfast
 
and after emptying your bladder and keep track of your weight. Keep a daily weight chart to
 
facilitate early recognition of worsening heart failure symptoms. Weight gain maybe an indication
 
of fluid build up in your lungs or other body parts such as feet and ankles. Contact your health
 
care provider if you gain 2 or more pounds overnight or 5 pounds or more in a week.
 

 

 

 Download a daily weight log here Daily Weight.pdf
 

Exercise and rest

 

Mild physical activity is beneficial for most

 

patients with heart failure; it improves

 

symptoms and the functional capacity of your

 

heart. Remember to have periods of rest

 

between activities or when exercising. Talk to

 

your doctor before starting a regular exercise

 

program.

 

According to the Heart Failure Society of

 

America hfsa.org  exercising 30 minutes a

 

day 5 days a week or more reduces:

 

 

Blood pressure

 

Blood sugar levels

 

Cholesterol

 

Weight

 

Keeps weight down 

 

 

 

 

Download the exercise chart here

 

Exercise Chart.pdf