WEIGHT
Patients should weigh themelves each morning and keep a record. A sudden increase in weight of more than 2-3 pounds may indicate excess fluid retention. Call your physician or nurse to report this occurrance. Quick notification and treatment could prevent an unwanted hospitalization for heart failure. Also, as the severity of heart failure increases, you may notice a rapid weight loss due to lack of appetite and protein wasting. Again, this finding should be communicated to your physician as soon as possible.
VITAL SIGNS
As well as keeping a log of your daily weight, it is very helpful for your health care providers to have a daily log of your blood pressure and pulse rate. The medications you take to control your heart failure have an effect on your blood pressure and pulse. You can purchase a digital blood pressure cuff from your local pharmacy that is very easy to use. The pharmacist can help instruct you on how to use or you can bring it to your next office vist and your nurse can instruct you.
FOR A WEIGHT AND VITAL SIGN LOG IN PDF FORMAT:
(TO DOWNLOAD FREE ADOBE ACROBAT READER TO VIEW AND PRINT LOG) www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html
DIET
A diet low in salt, fat, and cholesterol will help to keep you and your heart healthy. Read food labels. Another name for salt is sodium. Look for sodium content on all food labels. It will be listed in mgs (milligrams). Here are a few helpful tips:
Eat lean meats- avoid all luncheon meats, sausages, bacon, ham, hot dogs, organ meats, corned beef, spareribs, fried fish.
Eat low salt,low fat dairy products- avoid whole milk, chocolate milk, buttermilk,cream, regular and processed cheeses, cream cheese, and sour cream.
Eat more fruits and vegatables- avoid sauerkraut, picked vegetables, pickles, olives, canned vegatables.
Eat low salt, low fat starches and grains- avoid snack crackers, chips, doughnuts, pastries,croissants, frozen french toast, pancakes, and waffles, instant mix products, pre-seasoned rice, potato, or stuffing.
Eat low salt, low fat dessserts- avoid chocolate candy, cakes, pies, cookies, ice cream
Eat less salt- avoid salt, seasoned salts, garlic salt, meat tenderizers, soy sauce, any food who's label has salt, sodium chloride, monosodium glutamate, cured brine, corned, pickled, or smoked.
Eat healthy- bake, broil, grill, roast, poach, steam, and microwave foods. Avoid fried foods, creams, cheeses, sauces, gravies.
Limit salt (sodium) intake to around 2000 mgs per day, or follow your doctor's orders.
EXERCISE
Regular exercise is necessary to keep your body fit. You can and should exercise with heart failure. You will be able to accomplish more in your daily life if you maintain physical activity.
Do not take to the bed!! Walking, biking, or swimming are great activities. Start slow, then increase to 30-40 minutes a day. Stop and take a rest if you need to.
Do not exercise to the point of chest pain or dizziness. Bowling, golf, swimming, walking, bicycling, and light tennis are good activities.
Do not exercise right after eating. Wait at least 1 hour before exercising.
Do not do exercises that make you hold your breath, bear down, or demand sudden bursts of energy.
Do not exercise in extreme cold or heat or humidity. Join a walking club. Many malls have walking groups that meet every morning. The mall offers climate control and safety.
Do not participate in weightlifting. Avoid lifting objects > 25 pounds.
MEDICATIONS
Medications are very imprtant in your treatment plan. They improve the way your heart pumps and help to reduce fluid build-up in your body. Finding the right mediation with the proper dosage may take time and is different for each person. You and your healthcare provider need to work together to find the right medications with the right dosage for you. You must take your medication as prescribed. Missing doses or stopping your medication can cause serious problems. All medications can have side-effects. If you are experiencing any side-effects, tell your healthcare provider