Transcription
Living With My Heart Failure:My Guide to KeepMe Healthy & at Home
UnderstandingMy Heart Failure (HF)UnderstandingMy Ejection Fraction (EF)What is heart failure?Heart failure is a condition in whichthe heart can’t pump enoughblood to meet the body’s needs.In some cases, the heart can’t fillwith enough blood. In other cases,the heart can’t pump blood to therest of the body with enough force.Some people have both problems.Ejection FractionEjection fraction (EF) measuresthe percent of blood leavingthe heart with each heartbeat.RightVentricleLeftVentricleSeptumNormal HeartEnlargedVentricleHeart FailureCommon causes of heart failure Low blood flow to heart muscle Sleep apnea(breathing problems when sleeping) High blood pressure Heart muscle or valve problems Diabetes Heart rhythm problems Drug use Heart defect at birth Alcohol abuse Lung diseaseWhat may have led to my heart failure?1.A normal EF is approximately50-70%.Even if your EF is normal,it is still possible to have heartfailure. The left side of yourheart may be stiff and causeheart failure.NORMALEjection Fraction50% or HigherBorderlineEjection Fraction41%-49%My ejectionfraction is%LOWEjection Fraction2.3.4.240% or Lower3
What to EatWhat to DrinkWhat can I eat if I haveheart failure?How much fluid canI drink in a day withheart failure?It is very important that you limit the amountof salt (sodium) and fluid you take in.Did you knowone teaspoonof salt has2,300mgof sodium?You should not eat more than2,000 milligrams (mg) of sodium in a day.How do I lower the amount ofsalt in my diet? Get rid of your salt shaker. Use salt substitute, pepper, garlic, spicesand other salt-free seasonings on food. Limit the amount of meals eaten in restaurants. Avoid fast food restaurants. Ask for nutritional information when dining out. When shopping for food, look for items that saysalt free, low sodium or very low sodium.FLUID CHART1 fl oz 30 ml8 fl oz 240 ml 1 cup Generally, you should limit yourfluid intake to no more than 2,000milliliters (ML)per day. This is the same asa 2-liter bottle per day. Your health care team maydecide that you need adifferent fluid limit. Fluids include soda, water,alcohol, soup, jello, ice cream,coffee, tea, milk, juice.12 fl oz 360 ml 1 ½ cups16 fl oz 480 ml 2 cups20 fl oz 600 ml 2 ½ cups32 fl oz 1000 ml 4 cups64 fl oz 2000ml 8 cupsWATCH MY SALT!2,000mg 2 grams (g)Common high salt foods to avoid4 Ham Hot dogs Instant noodles Boxed foods Deli meats &cheeses Ketchup Soda Canned foods Soy sauce Sausage Pickles Soups Potato chips/pretzels Frozen mealsInstant hotbreakfast Bacon Pasta sauceWatch my fluids! 2,000 ml 2 litersMy fluid limit isml per day.5
Reading a Food LabelWeight and ExercisePractice reading a nutrition labelWeight Look at the serving size. Look at the amount of sodium per serving. Know how many servings are in the container.Weigh yourself at thesame time each morning. Write your weight downin your weight chart. Bring your weight chartwith you to your appointmentwith your health care team.Know your dry weightYour normal weight withoutany extra fluid in your body is calleddry weight.My dry weight ispounds.ExerciseAmount of sodium per servingEven simple exercise, such aswalking, can be good for you.What is the serving size?Make sure you pace yourselfand take breaks.Start slowly and add a littleHow much sodium is inone serving?more when you feel ready.STOP immediately if you feeldizzy, lightheaded or havechest pain.How many servingsper container?How much sodiumper container?6REMEMBER:Salt 2000 mgFluids 2000 mlDiscuss with your healthcareprovider if cardiac rehab wouldbe good for you.My favorite way to exercise is7
Medications 8Swelling: You may have swelling inyour feet, ankles, legs, belly or handsfrom extra fluid. You may notice yourshoes are tight when you put themon.Increased weight: You will noticeyour weight increasing as you holdonto extra fluid.Feeling weak or tired: You mayhave trouble doing normal activities.Walking may become more difficult.You may be extra sleepy during theday.GREEN ZONE Shortness of breath: You may havetrouble breathing with extra fluid inyour lungs. This may be worse withactivity or when you lay down. Youmay feel short of breath at night.Cough: You may develop a coughthat does not bring up any thickmucous. This may be worse whenyou lie down.Changes in eating habits: You mayfeel full earlier while eating, or notfeel like eating. Sometimes, you mayfeel nauseated. Weigh yourself in the morning,and write your weight down. Take your medications asprescribed. Everything is good if: You have no shortness of breath. You have no swelling. You have no weight gain. You have weight gain of 3 pounds ormore in a day, 5 pounds or more in3 days or 5 pounds above your dryweight at any time. You are more short of breaththan normal. You have swelling. You are more tired or weak than usual. You cannot lay down to sleep.Go to the Emergency Departmentor call 911 if: Tips about your medications Take your medications exactly as prescribed. Keep a list of all of your medications withyou at all times. This list should have doseson it, too. Do not miss any doses of your medications. Use a pillbox to help you remember yourmedications. Call for refills before you run out of yourmedication. Know what each medication is and what itlooks like. Try to take your medications at the sametime each day. Take your medications with you when youtravel. Call your health care provider if you haveconcerns about your medications. Do not stop taking your medications unlessdirected by your health care provider.Check your feet, ankles andlegs for swelling.Call your doctor if:RED ZONE YELLOW ZONEHow can I tell if I am havingtrouble with my heart failure?DAILYWhat to Do at HomeYou are struggling to breatheor cannot breathe.My heart failure medicationsTo help my heart function:Others: You have severe chest pain. You are confused.To help me urinate out extra fluid: You are fainting.9
My Heart Failure TrackerAm I Ready to Go Home?Salt Less than 2,000mgHeart failure quizDATE1. Heart failure means the heart is notpumping correctly. True False2. Swelling is a sign of heart failure. True False3. I do not have to limit the amount ofsalt I eat in a day. True False4. I need to weigh myself every day. True False5. I do not have to take my medications if I feel well. True WEIGHTFluids less than 2,000mlANY NEW PROBLEMS?EXERCISE FOR TODAYAbout meMy three main goals for living withheart failure are:1)2)3)What do I need to do to be successfultreating my heart failure?This is important to me because:FalseReady for discharge My first heart failure follow-up appointment being sent home on.is on: with . My doctor’s phone number is:.I understand the medications I am Yes NoI need to get blood work on.DAILY GREEN ZONEEverything is good if:Call your doctor if:Go to the Emergencymorning and write your You have weight gain of 3Department or call 911 if:shortness of breath.pounds or more in a day, 5 You have nopounds or more in 3 daysto breathe or cannotswelling.or 5 pounds above your drybreathe.You have noweight at any time.Take your medications as prescribed. Check your feet,ankles and legs You have noweight gain. for swelling.Bring this book to every visit! You are more short of breathYou are strugglingYou have severechest pain.than normal. You are confused. You have swelling. You are fainting. You are more tired or weakthan usual.10RED ZONEWeigh yourself in theweight down. YELLOW ZONE You cannot lay down to sleep.
My Heart Failure TrackerMy Heart Failure TrackerSalt Less than 2,000mgSalt Less than 2,000mgDATEWEIGHTDAILY ANY NEW PROBLEMS?GREEN ZONEYELLOW ZONECall your doctor if:Go to the Emergencymorning and write your You have weight gain of 3shortness of breath.pounds or more in a day, 5You have nopounds or more in 3 daysto breathe or cannotswelling.or 5 pounds above your drybreathe.You have noweight at any time.Take your medications Check your feet,ankles and legs You have noweight gain. for swelling.DATERED ZONEEverything is good if:as prescribed. EXERCISE FOR TODAYWeigh yourself in theweight down. Fluids less than 2,000mlWEIGHTDAILYANY NEW PROBLEMS?GREEN ZONEYELLOW ZONECall your doctor if:Go to the EmergencyDepartment or call 911 if:morning and write your You have weight gain of 3Department or call 911 if: weight down.shortness of breath.pounds or more in a day, 5 You have nopounds or more in 3 daysto breathe or cannotswelling.or 5 pounds above your drybreathe.You have noweight at any time.You are more short of breathYou are strugglingYou have severe Take your medications Check your feet,ankles and legsfor swelling.You are confused. You have swelling. You are fainting. You are more tired or weak as prescribed.chest pain. You have noweight gain. You are more short of breathYou are strugglingYou have severechest pain.than normal. You are confused. You have swelling. You are fainting. You are more tired or weakthan usual.You cannot lay down to sleep.RED ZONEEverything is good if:than normal. EXERCISE FOR TODAYWeigh yourself in the Fluids less than 2,000mlthan usual. You cannot lay down to sleep.
Center for Heart & Vascular HealthChristiana Care Health System4755 Ogletown Stanton RoadNewark, DE ristianaCare is a private nonprofit regional health caresystem and relies in part on the generosity of individuals,foundations and corporations to fulfill its mission.21HV8
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. In some cases, the heart can't fill with enough blood. In other cases, the heart can't pump blood to the rest of the body with enough force. Some people have both problems. Common causes of heart failure Low blood flow to heart muscle
