4 Heart Failure Self-Management and Lifestyle Teaching
Learn how to follow an individualized heart failure care plan, monitor weight and symptoms, and make informed choices about food, fluids, medicines, and daily activities.
Follow individualized food and fluid goals
Heart failure self-management follows an individualized care plan; and fluid goals are not automatically the same for everyone. Ask the healthcare team to clarify any goal or instruction that is unclear, and do not change prescribed limits on your own.
For example, fresh chicken, brown rice, and vegetables prepared without added salt are a better choice for reducing than canned soup with deli turkey, instant noodles, or a fast-food sandwich with fries. Fresh or minimally processed foods are often lower in than packaged, prepared, and restaurant foods.
Check labels and clarify fluid limits
Check Nutrition Facts labels for per serving, note how many servings are in the product, and compare products. Follow the goal set by your healthcare team rather than assuming one target applies to everyone.
is not automatically the same for all people with heart failure. Follow the amount prescribed for you. If you have a fluid limit, ask your healthcare team whether foods that are liquid at room temperature—such as soup, gelatin, or ice cream—count toward it.
Monitor weight and follow your reporting plan
is most useful when the weighing routine is consistent: weigh each morning after urinating and before breakfast, using the same scale in the same place and wearing similar clothing. Record each weight and bring the log to appointments. Consistent timing and conditions make day-to-day changes easier to identify.
A gain of pounds in one day or pounds in a week is a reason to follow your and contact the healthcare team as instructed. Sudden weight gain can indicate , and the team may set a different personal reporting threshold.
Recognize changes that need attention
Increasing ankle swelling, weight gain, or shortness of breath can signal and should be reported promptly according to your instructions. New difficulty breathing while lying flat or sudden, severe shortness of breath during sleep also warrants prompt attention. Seek emergency care for severe or rapidly worsening breathing trouble.
Do not wait for a scheduled appointment when your personal instructions call for contacting the healthcare team sooner. Do not stop prescribed medicines or change their doses, including taking an extra diuretic dose, unless your written plan specifically directs you to do so.
Support your care plan in daily life
Follow the activity advice in your care plan; stopping all activity to protect your heart is not the recommended approach described here. Take medicines as prescribed, and do not stop them just because you feel better. Tell the healthcare team about barriers to following the plan or about new symptoms.
Discuss activity, sleep, stress, tobacco use, alcohol, and other medicines with the healthcare team. Some medicines and health conditions can worsen heart-failure symptoms, so check with a clinician or pharmacist before starting a new medicine, including an over-the-counter medicine.