Eliminating added salt in cooking is also a good idea. Salt substitutes are permissible and can make food more palatable. Frozen and fast foods, which are notorious for containing unhealthy amounts of salt, should be avoided. Ask the doctor if your mother should restrict her water intake. In severe cases, this may be necessary to limit fluid buildup and swelling.
Exercise can reduce symptoms and improve endurance.
Your mother's doctor might suggest that she start a supervised, hospital-based exercise program designed for heart patients. It's also important to quit smoking and to limit alcohol intake. Others, such as digoxin, can improve the pumping action of the heart muscle but can cause significant side effects if not monitored carefully. Ask your mother's doctor to explain which medications he or she has chosen for her and what each one should do. Ask explicitly which medications your mother should avoid.