Heart Failure [SajithSam].pdf

This guide is for adults of all ages who have
heart failure, and for their families or carers.

Contents

About heart failure
What is heart failure? 5
What causes heart failure? Can it be cured? 6
How bad is my heart failure? Will it get worse? 7
Questions and answers 8
The symptoms and how to control them
The symptoms of heart failure 11
What you can do to control your symptoms 12
Self-management 18
Managing your medication 19
Reducing your risk of further problems
Controlling your blood pressure 37
Eating a healthy diet 38
Managing your fluid balance 42
Stopping smoking 48
Limiting your alcohol 49
Keeping active 50
Living with heart failure
Looking after yourself at home and at work 61
Getting out and about 63
Dealing with stress, worry and anxiety 64
Managing the changing relationships 74
Sex 77
Financial worries 79
Facing severe illness 80
Planning for the future 83
Getting help and information
Talking to your doctor, GP or nurse 91
Help for carers 92
Useful organisations 99
Useful publications and DVDs 102
What to do in an emergency 104
Index 106