Patients with heart failure experience shortness of breath, swelling of the ankles and fatigue with even minimal exertion. Current estimates are that more than 4.5 million U.S. residents have heart failure, with more than 500,000 new cases being diagnosed each year. More patients older than 65 are admitted to hospitals for heart failure than any other health problem. In the last 15 years, great advances have been made in the drugs used to treat this disorder. Be aware of subtle signs that your condition may be worsening, and let your doctor know.
Quick action can mean avoiding an overnight stay in the hospital, or worse.
Don't smoke or drink alcohol, and limit the amount of sodium and salt that you eat. If weight loss is needed, strive to achieve and maintain a lower body weight. Not following any one of these recommendations can acutely aggravate your condition. Research at Henry Ford Hospital and other centers has shown that regular moderate exercise improves exercise capacity, lessens symptoms and improves quality of life in patients with heart failure. This is a bit contrary to just 10 years ago, when patients were told to avoid exercise due to fears that it would further weaken the heart.