Introduction
Heart failure is a state in which the heart can no longer function well enough to provide sufficient blood and oxygen to the body. Heart Failure is a long-term, complex disorder, characterized by symptoms such as dyspnea, and fatigue at rest or during exertion that develops gradually and gradually worsens over time. With a little over 6 million Americans already living with heart failure, the condition is a major medical problem and will continue to become a burden as baby boomers continue to hit their fifties and sixties. Heart failure is a serious condition that can be fatal, but it often can be managed with the appropriate treatments that many clinical research organizations in the US are investigating.
Continue reading this blog as we dive into preventative strategies for heart failures, and what lifestyle changes one could adopt to manage this condition.
Lifestyle Changes that Make Enormous Difference
Following recommendations on eating habits, exercise and other healthy habits can help alleviate heart failure symptoms, slow your disease’s progression, and improve your daily life. Adding some of these lifestyle changes can be easier said than done. However, working these changes into your daily routine can make a significant difference in your quality of life.
Also Read: Heart Failure Self-Care: Revitalizing Heart Health
Consuming Clean and Healthy Diet:
Consumption of an overall healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy items, skinless poultry and fish, nuts and legumes, and non-tropical vegetable oils are essential. Limiting red meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, trans fats, cholesterol, sodium, saturated and trans fats can further help boost your overall heart health.
Monitoring weight:
Unexpected weight gain or loss can be an indication that you are developing heart failure or that your heart failure is progressing. Even if you are feeling fine or your weight is consistent, your physician needs to know about weight changes so that your medications can be adjusted if needed. Monitoring weight will help avoid hospital visits for worsening of heart failure symptoms.
Weigh yourself daily in the morning after getting fresh, preferably before breakfast and after urinating. Always wear the same types of clothing (try to weigh yourself without shoes) and use the same scale in the same place. This will enable you to observe actual changes in weight from day to day. If you consistently gain two to three pounds in a single day over a long time, consult your healthcare specialist.
Quitting Smoking:
Nicotine from tobacco smoke worsens heart rate and blood pressure levels for a brief period. Carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke can also get into the blood and rob your heart and brain of the much-needed oxygen. Smoking raises the risk of blood clotting and lowers your tolerance for physical exertion. It also decreases HDL (good) cholesterol.
Nicotine replacement therapies, counselling groups, and support groups can be beneficial in helping quit smoking.
Being Physically Active:
Regular, moderate-intensity physical activity can help your heart become stronger. Physical exercise encompasses any activity that requires physical movement and burns calories, such walking, leaf raking, climbing stairs, or engaging in sports. When you perform an action on a regular basis, it becomes routine. Your heart health will determine how active you can be and how much of it you can do. Your cardiologist can help you design a physical activity plan that is right for you.
Managing Stress:
Feeling anxious about your diagnosis and what could happen to you and your family? Everyone has certain stress triggers—things that could potentially affect their blood pressure levels and overall heart function. It is crucial to manage stress and anxiety by incorporating relaxation and meditation techniques. Stress may worsen symptoms because it increases cardiac workload.
Avoiding and Limiting Alcohol Consumption:
Excessive alcohol consumption impacts heart health and moderate alcohol intake helps to prevent heart failure. For men, this implies no more than one to two drinks per day, and for women, no more than one drink per day. Limiting alcohol consumption will help your heart to function properly.
Getting Enough Rest:
Setting aside time each day for rest and relaxation is crucial. Rest times are essential because they allow the heart to pump more quickly. Daytime rest can prevent you from overdoing it and ease feelings of fatigue caused by nighttime sleep interruptions.
You can try napping after lunch, putting your feet up for a few minutes every few hours or sitting down while doing household tasks such as preparing food or ironing.
To improve your night’s sleep, use pillows to prop up your head. Avoid naps, large meals, caffeine, and alcohol immediately before bedtime. Talk to your healthcare team to see if you can time your diuretic use so that you are less likely to wake up to urinate. This could mean taking diuretics during the morning.
Manage your Diabetes:
If you have diabetes, careful monitoring of blood sugar levels becomes crucial. Talk to your healthcare team or a physician about treatment options. Your physician could suggest specific lifestyle modifications to assist in managing your blood sugar levels. You’ll lower your chance of heart disease by following these steps.
Monitoring Blood Pressure:
Monitoring high blood pressure is necessary, ensure to have it checked regularly. If you have never had high blood pressure or other risk factors for heart disease, your physician or healthcare team should measure your blood pressure at least once a year.
Your medical team will take your blood pressure more frequently if you have been diagnosed with hypertension, or high blood pressure, to ensure that the disease is under control. Discuss how often you should check your blood pressure. You can also check it at home, in a pharmacy, or at your doctor’s office.
If you have high blood pressure, your physician may recommend some changes in your lifestyle, such as lowering the sodium in your diet; they may also prescribe medicine to reduce your blood pressure levels.
Take Medicines as Directed:
If you take medicine to treat high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. Always ask questions if there is something you do not understand. Consult with your physician, nurse, or pharmacist before discontinuing any medication.
Conclusion
According to life expectancy reports, more than half of all people diagnosed with heart failure are expected to survive for 5 years and about 35% survive for 10 years. Depending on the severity of symptoms and treatment approaches, the life span of people with this condition can be increased by adopting the right lifestyle changes. This includes maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake, and managing stress. Remember to consult with your healthcare provider before making any major changes to your lifestyle and prioritize your heart health for a long and healthy life. Consider participating in Heart Failure Clinical Trials that could potentially help maintain your heart health.
