A diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF) can come with a lot of information all at once. New medications, changes to what you eat, daily weights, symptoms to watch for — it can feel like a lot to remember.
The good news is that managing heart failure doesn’t mean every day needs to revolve around your condition. Often, it’s about building a few simple habits into your everyday routine. Knowing what is normal for you, paying attention when something changes, and knowing when to reach out for help can make a big difference.
Heart failure means that your heart isn’t pumping blood as effectively as your body needs. This can sometimes cause fluid to build up, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, swelling and tiredness.
So, what are some simple things you can do at home?
Start With a Daily Check-In
Take a moment each day to think about how you’re feeling compared with yesterday. How is your breathing? How is your energy? Do your feet or ankles look more swollen? Can you do your usual activities comfortably?
Sometimes the changes are subtle. Maybe walking to the kitchen feels a little harder today. Your favourite shoes may suddenly feel tighter. Perhaps you needed another pillow last night because it was more comfortable to breathe sitting slightly upright.
These may seem like little things, but with heart failure, small changes can sometimes be early warning signs.
Something to Remember Get to know your normal. Changes in your breathing, swelling, energy or ability to do your usual activities are worth paying attention to — especially when more than one change is happening at the same time.
Make Your Scale Part of Your Morning Routine
Your bathroom scale can become one of the most useful tools you have at home. When your body holds onto extra fluid, your weight may increase before you notice obvious swelling or worsening symptoms.
Try to weigh yourself every morning:
- After going to the bathroom
- Before breakfast
- Before getting dressed, or while wearing similar clothing
- Using the same scale
Keep a simple record of your weight so that it’s easier to notice changes over time.
Heart & Stroke recommends contacting your healthcare provider if you gain or lose 2 kg (4 lb) or more over two days, or 2.5 kg (5 lb) or more in one week, unless your healthcare team has given you different instructions.
Your Takeaway Your daily weight isn’t about dieting. It’s one way of keeping an eye on your heart failure. If the number suddenly changes, think about whether anything else feels different too — such as swelling, shortness of breath or tiredness — and share those details with your healthcare team.
Take a Quick Look at Your Feet and Ankles
While you’re getting ready for the day, take a quick look at your feet, ankles and legs. Do they look more swollen than usual? Are your socks leaving deeper marks? Do your shoes feel tighter? You can also pay attention to whether your abdomen feels more swollen or uncomfortable than usual.
Increasing swelling can happen when your body is retaining extra fluid, particularly when it occurs along with sudden weight gain or changes in your breathing. If you have difficulty checking your feet or legs yourself, ask a family member or caregiver to help.
Pause and Check In Think about how your shoes and socks normally fit. A pair of shoes suddenly feeling tighter might seem unimportant, but sometimes it’s the small changes that tell you something is different.
Pay Attention to Your Breathing
You don’t need special equipment to notice a change in your breathing. Think about the things you normally do around your home. If walking from your bedroom to the kitchen is usually easy but suddenly leaves you short of breath, pay attention to that change.
Your sleeping habits can also tell you something. Maybe you’re finding it harder to lie flat, you’ve started using more pillows, or you’ve woken during the night feeling short of breath. Don’t simply dismiss these changes as having an off day.
If your breathing is getting worse, contact your healthcare provider. If you are experiencing severe difficulty breathing, call 9-1-1.
Keep This in Mind Instead of asking, “Am I short of breath?”, it can sometimes be more helpful to ask, “Am I more short of breath than I normally am?” Changes from your usual symptoms are important.
Be a Little More Curious About Salt
Managing sodium doesn’t mean your food has to become boring — and it doesn’t mean simply putting away the salt shaker. A lot of the sodium we eat is already in prepared and packaged foods.
Some foods that can be high in sodium include:
- Canned soups
- Deli and processed meats
- Frozen or packaged meals
- Sauces and condiments
- Fast food
- Restaurant and takeout meals
Try turning the package around and looking at the Nutrition Facts table. When choosing between similar foods, compare their sodium content. Fresh or minimally processed foods are often good choices. Herbs, garlic, lemon and spices can also add plenty of flavour without relying on extra salt.
If your healthcare provider or dietitian has given you a specific sodium recommendation, follow the plan that’s been created for you.
Did You Know? Putting away the salt shaker is only one small part of reducing sodium. Much of the sodium in our diet can already be in the food before it reaches the table. Checking food labels is a simple habit that can help you make more informed choices.
What About Fluids?
This is one area where it’s especially important to follow your own care plan. Not everyone living with heart failure needs the same fluid restriction. Some people may be asked to limit fluids, while others may not need a strict limit.
If you’ve been given a daily fluid limit, remember that fluids include more than water. Coffee, tea, juice, milk, soup and other liquids count too. If you haven’t been told to restrict your fluids, don’t start doing so on your own. Ask your healthcare provider what is appropriate for you.
Something to Remember Your neighbour, friend or family member may also have heart failure, but their care plan may look very different from yours. Follow the recommendations that have been developed specifically for you.
Your Medications Still Matter on Good Days
Feeling well is something to celebrate, but it doesn’t mean your heart failure medications are no longer needed. Some medications help manage symptoms, while others work in the background to protect your heart and reduce the chance of your heart failure getting worse.
Take your medications exactly as prescribed. If you’re experiencing side effects, having trouble remembering your medications or aren’t sure why you’re taking something, speak with your doctor, nurse practitioner or pharmacist.
Before starting a new over-the-counter medication, vitamin, supplement or natural health product, check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Some products may not be appropriate for people living with heart failure.
A Good Reminder Feeling better can actually be a sign that your treatment is doing its job. Don’t stop or change your medications because you’re having a good day. Speak with your healthcare provider first.
Keep Doing the Things You Enjoy
Heart failure doesn’t automatically mean you have to stop being active. Staying active can help maintain your strength, mobility and independence. Depending on your health and abilities, something as simple as walking may be a good place to start.
The key is to work within your abilities, pace yourself and listen to your body. There may be days when you have more energy and days when you need additional rest. That’s okay. Your healthcare team can help you understand what type and amount of activity is appropriate for you.
Check In With Yourself When you’re active, notice how you feel. Can you do what you normally do comfortably? If an activity that is usually easy suddenly becomes difficult because of shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness or another symptom, don’tsimply push through it. Stop, rest and follow the advice provided by your healthcare team.
Know When Something Is Changing
Contact your healthcare provider if you notice new or worsening:
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in your feet, ankles, legs or abdomen
- Sudden changes in your weight
- Difficulty breathing when lying flat
- Need for additional pillows to sleep comfortably
- Waking during the night feeling short of breath
- Tiredness or weakness
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Cough
- Changes in appetite
- Confusion or difficulty thinking clearly
Your healthcare team may provide you with a heart failure action plan or symptom zone guide. Keep it somewhere easy to find and consider sharing it with the family members or caregivers who support you.
When It’s an Emergency
Some symptoms shouldn’t wait. Call 9-1-1 if you are experiencing severe difficulty breathing or symptoms that may indicate a heart attack, such as chest pain, pressure or discomfort, particularly when accompanied by sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, weakness or light-headedness.
When something feels significantly different or wrong, don’t ignore it.
A Few Things to Take With You
There’s no need to remember everything at once. Start with a few simple habits:
Know your normal. Notice how you usually feel so that you can recognize when something changes.
Make friends with your scale. Checking your weight every morning can help you notice fluid buildup early.
Pay attention to your breathing and swelling. Your body can give you clues that your heart failure is changing.
Keep taking your medications. Even when you are having a great day, take them as prescribed.
Speak up when something changes. Do not wait until you are feeling very unwell to contact your healthcare team.
Most importantly, remember that managing heart failure is not about doing everything perfectly. It’s about learning what works for you, developing a few healthy routines and recognizing when your body may be telling you that something has changed.
Small changes are worth noticing. Early action can make a difference.
Resources
Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada. Heart failure. https://www.heartandstroke.ca/heart-disease/conditions/heart-failure
HealthLink BC. Heart failure. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthwise/heart-failure
HealthLink BC. Heart failure: Daily action plan. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthwise/heart-failure-daily-action-plan
HealthLink BC. Heart failure: Checking your weight. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthwise/heart-failure-checking-your-weight
HealthLink BC. Heart failure: Eating a healthy diet. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthwise/heart-failure-eating-healthy-diet
HealthLink BC. Heart failure: Watching your fluids. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthwise/heart-failure-watching-your-fluids
Health Canada. Sodium in Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/healthy-eating/sodium.html
