Sadly, approximately 6.2 million Americans suffer from heart failure. This is a chronic condition, occurring when the heart doesn’t pump blood as effectively as it should. If you suffer from this condition, you may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, and a rapid heartbeat.
For most people, there is no cure for heart failure. But, your physician will recommend some lifestyle changes to control the symptoms where possible and slow down the condition’s progression. Following these steps can improve your quality of life and help you carry on with some of your favorite activities.
Read on to find out how to live with congestive heart failure.
Table of Contents
Maintain a Healthy Weight
An important element of healthier living with heart failure is to control your weight. If you are carrying excess bulk, your heart has to work harder, and you may also find it is more difficult to exercise. Try to limit your fatty food intake and consume healthier meals. It’s a good idea to include plenty of fruits and vegetables and to stay hydrated.
You may also benefit from contacting heart failure clinics. Their professional staff can help you create a personalized heart failure management program.
Exercise Regularly
Living well with heart failure does not mean avoiding physical exertion. It’s essential to get regular exercise to encourage your artery linings to work more efficiently. If you are not sure how much exercise is appropriate, consult your physician before starting a training regime.
Reduce Your Chronic Stress Levels
Living with congestive heart failure can be frustrating, especially if you can’t perform tasks that you could before your diagnosis. Therefore, it’s important to avoid experiencing chronic stress that could reduce blood flow to your heart.
But, it isn’t always possible to stay away from stressful situations, so it may help to learn deep breathing techniques. You could also engage in meditation practices or learn how to perform yoga.
Check-in with Your Doctor
Your doctor may provide you with a guide to living with heart failure. A medical professional can also take an overview of your entire lifestyle and tweak aspects that may not be optimal. In addition, they can monitor your progress as you make changes to your activities. They can then provide relevant advice to help you stay on the right track.
Your physician could have many years of experience dealing with heart failure patients, so it makes sense to make use of their knowledge and expertise.
Make the Right Changes When Living with Heart Failure
Living with heart failure can be challenging, especially if you lived an active life before your diagnosis. But, it is not all doom and gloom. You can follow some straightforward practices to boost your quality of life and reduce any mental and emotional symptoms. Try to get regular exercise, improve your eating habits, and avoid stressful situations.
If you become concerned about any heart failure issues, don’t hesitate to contact your physician for expert advice.
