Heart failure is often a long-lasting condition. There is no cure for the majority of the patient. it requires life-long treatment and medical follow-up. Treatment comprises not only
medications but also changes in the diet and lifestyle as well.
Diet and lifestyle changes in heart failure
Changes in diet and lifestyle are paramount in the management of a heart failure patient. Every patient has to adhere to these changes. They help improve the symptoms, prevent exacerbations and reduce death.
Measuring the bodyweight frequently reduces heart failure-related admissions
Measuring the bodyweight frequently helps to detect the accumulation of the fluid before it is noticed visually. An increase in body weight might be a signal
of deterioration of the heart condition and need for admission in the near future. Early detection of fluid accumulation by measuring the weight helps your doctor change the dosage of the medication. If weight increases by 1 kilogram in one day, consult the doctor immediately. Or else, if weight increases by 2 kg in one week, consult the doctor urgently.
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Low salt intake reduces the accumulation of fluid in heart failure
excess salt in the diet makes your body retain excess fluid in the body. Salt prevents effective flushing of the water from the body. Salt in the diet also decreases the efficiency of heart
failure medication. Consuming high salt also increases blood pressure. An increase in blood pressure makes the weak heart work harder and leads to the rapid progression of heart failure. Consuming high salt is the leading cause of recurrent admissions in patients with heart failure. Consuming less salt in the diet prevents excess accumulation of the fluid, reduces recurrent admissions, and delays the progression of heart failure.
Consuming less water is helpful in severe heart failure patients
Patients with mild heart failure can drink a sufficient amount of water. But patients with severe heart failure are very sensitive to fluid intake. they retain excess water consumed in the body and lungs. These patients often have persistent breathlessness and leg swelling. Any excess water consumption further increases breathlessness and leg swelling. it is best to drink less than 2 liters of fluid per day. This includes water as well as all other fluids.
Maintaining ideal body weight is recommended in heart failure
In obese and overweight patients, even a normal heart has to work hard to support the body. The normal heart can do that but a weak heart in heart failure can not adjust to it. Making a weak heart work harder makes it weaker and leads to the rapid progression of the disease. Maintaining a healthy weight makes the weak heart work easier
Quitting smoking is a must in heart failure
Cigarette smoking increases the risk of heart attack and damages your lung too. It also makes vessels supplying the heart accumulate more cholesterol, which leads to the narrowing of the heart vessels. Narrowing decreases the supply of blood to the weak heart which weakens the hurt further.
Stop alcohol intake to reduce further insult to the heart
Alcohol intake damages not only the liver, even the heart too. Alcohol consumption for a prolonged period may lead to a weak heart in a few individuals. This entity is called alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy. These persons should immediately stop taking alcohol. For other patients with heart failure due to different causes other than alcohol, avoiding alcohol is recommended. Binge alcohol increases the risk of arrhythmias ( atrial fibrillation). These arrhythmias are dangerous and can lead to multiple complications
Regular exercise improves overall health in heart failure
If your body permits, exercising for 30 minutes a day for at least 5 days a week is recommended, exercise has numerous benefits. It helps to control blood pressure, blood sugar, and body weight. It improves overall health in heart failure patients. It also makes the patient feel better in many aspects. Heart patients need to take safety precautions throughout the exercise and should not do it beyond their limits. Walking and simple stretches are the safest and the best exercises for heart failure patients.
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