Q: How can I take an active role in managing my heart failure?

Ask Our Expert About Heart Failure

About Our Expert

Donna F. Petruccelli, C.R.N.P, is an advanced practice nurse and coordinator with the Advanced Heart Failure Program at Lehigh Valley Health Network.

Q: How can I take an active role in managing my heart failure?

A: The management of heart failure is a team effort, and you are a key member on that team. After diagnosing your heart condition, your doctor will prescribe medications, such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, beta blockers, diuretics and others, which will help your heart function better. It is important that you take your medications as prescribed by your doctor and that you don’t start taking new ones without consulting your doctor or medical provider.

There are other steps you can take to help manage your heart failure. They include:

• Limiting your salt intake. Reducing the amount of salt you consume helps prevent fluid retention, which worsens heart failure symptoms. It is recommended that heart failure patients consume no more than 2,000 milligrams (mg) or 2 grams of sodium per day.
• Keeping your appointments. You will have regular appointments with your doctor to make sure your heart failure is stable and not worsening. It’s important to keep these appointments. Other members of your heart care team will include nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, exercise specialists and social workers. They will work with you and your doctor to keep you healthy. In some cases, your team may recommend additional treatments, such as surgery or the implantation of a special pacemaker device to help your heart pump more efficiently.
• Modifying lifestyle factors. When you have heart failure, making small lifestyle changes can improve your quality of life. It is recommended that you remain physically active (as prescribed by your doctor), lose weight (if necessary), stop smoking and using tobacco products, avoid secondhand smoke, and reduce or avoid alcohol. You’ll also want to record your weight every day and monitor any changes to make sure you’re not retaining fluids.

Q: Do I need to think about advanced care?

A: As with any chronic illness, patients are encouraged to discuss their wishes for advanced and extended medical care with their family and healthcare team. A “living will” or “advanced directive” gives you the opportunity to convey your wishes in writing for how you want future healthcare decisions made for you in the event you are unable to make them yourself.

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