Lifestyle changes that can help manage CHF
Learn the daily habits that can help improve your heart health and overall quality of life.
When it comes to congestive heart failure (CHF), there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment. Aside from taking your medications as prescribed, there are plenty of lifestyle changes that can help manage your CHF. Your doctor may offer slightly different recommendations based on your individual diagnosis. But these are a few common threads that are universal for all CHF patients to follow.
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Follow a heart-healthy diet
A heart-healthy diet is one that is rich in fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. Limit sweets and fatty foods — those high in cholesterol, salt, saturated fat, and trans fat.
Manage your medications
If you’re prescribed any CHF medications, be sure to take them consistently and correctly. Not taking them as directed, whether intentionally or not, can lead to adverse impacts on your health, such as increased side effects and condition-related flare-ups.
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Monitor sodium and fluid intake
When your heart isn’t pumping enough blood, fluid can build up in your body and make your weight go up. That’s because salt causes you to hold onto water. This fluid can back up into the lungs — that’s the congestive part of CHF. Monitoring fluid and sodium (salt) intake is important. While limiting fluids, remember to drink enough water to stay hydrated.
Get physically active
Being physically active decreases some of the risk factors of heart disease. That’s because exercise can strengthen the heart and lower blood pressure, which makes it easier for your heart to pump.
Take time to de-stress
When you’re feeling stressed, your blood pressure and heart rate increase. This makes the heart work harder. Try to manage stress by doing relaxing activities such as yoga, mindfulness meditation, or journaling.
Avoid alcohol
It’s a good idea for people with CHF to steer clear of alcohol. Heavy drinking has been linked with heart conditions such as high blood pressure, stroke, and CHF.
Get enough sleep
Like the rest of the body, the heart repairs itself during sleep. Aim for at least seven hours a night, and try to fall asleep and wake up around the same time every day.
Stop smoking
The nicotine in cigarettes increases your heart rate and blood pressure. This not only puts more stress on your heart but also decreases the amount of oxygen-rich blood that gets delivered to your other organs. If you smoke, ask your case manager for advice on how to quit.
