A heart failure diagnosis doesn’t mean your heart has stopped working. It means that your heart is unable to pump enough blood and oxygen to support the other organs in your body, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
If you have heart failure, the heart can’t deliver enough blood to the cells. This can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, coughing and may limit everyday activities. Heart failure may also lead to weight gain with swelling in the feet, legs, ankles or stomach.
Here are other conditions that can lead to heart failure include:
• Abnormal heart valves
• Damage to the heart muscle
• Inflammation of the heart muscle
• Congenital heart defects
• Severe lung disease
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Sleep apnea
Certain vital signs need daily checking, including weight and blood pressure. Certain lifestyle changes can also help you manage wellness.
Follow these five tips for success when you’re living with heart failure
1. Weigh Every Day: Weight gain is one of the first signs of heart failure because it means you’re retaining fluid. Keep a daily chart, and if you gain more than three pounds in one day or five pounds in one week you should call your doctor
2. Monitor Your Blood Pressure: You can easily check your blood pressure from your kitchen with a home blood pressure monitor. Ask your doctor or in home health aid which monitor is best for you.
3. Limit Liquids: Drinking too many fluids can worsen your heart failure. Limit beverages, such as coffee, tea, juice and soft drinks and foods with high water content like soup, watermelon, ice cream and gelatin
4. Downsize Salt Intake: Salt is notorious for causing extra fluid to build up in your body and worsen heart failure
5. Take your Medications as Directed: It’s crucial to stay on top of taking your medication according to your doctor’s recommendations. If you live alone, ask a help of in home health aid.
Taking care of yourself must be a priority when you have heart failure. Love Thy Neighbor Home Care Services is a comprehensive home care agency licensed by the Georgia Department of Community Health that provides direction as to how to manage the total care of your loved one. Call us now at 470-672-6884 and speak with us about how we can meet your needs.
Check out our Services:
Home Care Services
Mobile Lab Services
Like and Follow us on Facebook and Instagram:
Facebook – Love Thy Neighbor Home Care Services
Instagram – Love Thy Neighbor Home Care Services
We provide home care service around Gwinnett County and Metro Atlanta.
Location for Senior care service in Snellville, Lawrenceville, Grayson, Stone Mountain, Monroe, Loganville, Allendale, Centerville, Windsor, Bold Springs, Ridgewood, Rockbridge, Rosebud, Smoke Rise, CLarkston, Decatur and more
Leave a Reply