The infographic below can help you or your loved one learn more about CHF.
Read the text alternative of Care and Management of Congestive Failure.
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Care and Management of Congestive Heart Failure
Manage your liquid intake
Drinking too many fluids can worsen your heart failure. Average liquid intake for people with congestive heart failure (CHF) should be around two quarts per day. Talk to your healthcare team about what fluids you should have each day and in what quantities.
Weigh yourself every day
Make sure to weigh yourself at the same time of day and record it. Watch for a weight gain of five pounds over three days. This may mean that you need to adjust your medications, and should speak with your care provider.
Manage your sodium intake
A sodium-laden diet causes fluid to accumulate within the body and places added stress on the cardiovascular system. Look at the sodium content on the nutrition labels of the foods you are buying. Processed meats and cured items are a couple examples of food items with a lot of sodium in them.
Exercise! Be active.
Physical activity is a powerful prevention tool not only for congestive heart failure but for numerous other chronic diseases, and it’s great for supporting cardiovascular health. Remember, your heart is a muscle, and it needs to be exercised like any other muscle.
Monitor Your Blood Pressure
Your doctor may also want you to keep track of your blood pressure. Over time, high blood pressure can put a strain on your heart. You can easily check your blood pressure from your kitchen with a home blood pressure monitor. Record your blood pressure and show your readings to your doctor at your appointments. If your pressure rises, your doctor may need to see you sooner than planned.
Take Your Medication as Directed
Your doctor may prescribe a number of different drugs to treat symptoms of your condition, depending on the cause of your heart failure and how severe it is. It’s very important to consistently use the medications that your doctor or caregiver has prescribed for you.
Hire a Caregiver from Caring Senior Service
Taking care of yourself must be a priority when you have heart failure. It may mean some adjustments in daily habits, especially if you live alone. Caring Senior Service provides a CHF-specific care program to help care for seniors diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Our care program includes specific training for caregivers to help them understand the common symptoms and risks associate with CHF, Our in-home caregivers can provide peace of mind to both seniors and their family members.