Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart does not pump blood through the body well enough. When the heart doesn't pump the blood around the body well, the oxygen it carries doesn't get to the muscles and other parts of the body that need it. Congestive Heart Failure can't be cured with the technology we have now. But CHF can be treated with medicine, and following these treatments helps people with CHF live as normally and comfortably as possible. CHF can be dealt with in different ways.
First, when a person is diagnosed with CHF, he or she needs to find a regular heart specialist. The patient also needs a regular doctor so that prescriptions and other things can be taken care of. Some medicines will be given, and one of the best things a person with CHF can do is to take their medicines on time, as prescribed, and in the right amounts. Keeping track of when you take your medications and how you feel after taking them will also help your doctor figure out the best combination of medications for you. If a certain medicine is giving you side effects, your doctor might be able to give you a different medicine to take instead.
Diet is another important part of living a mostly healthy and comfortable life. Most people are put on a very limited diet. Many people have to eat a heart-healthy diet that is low in fat and salt. Most of the time, 2 g of sodium is all you can have in a day. Too much sodium in the diet can make it hard to breathe by making the body hold on to water. Since CHF already makes it hard to hold on to water, it is best to eat so that you hold on to as little water as possible. Drinking too much liquid is another thing that can cause water retention. This is something else the doctor might put a limit on.
Exercise is another way to deal with Congestive Heart Failure, along with medicine and a change in diet. People with CHF often think that being active will hurt them. But strenuous activity is not good for you, but light to moderate activity can be good for you if you do it right.
Making sure you have as little stress as possible is another way to deal with Congestive Heart Failure and live in comfort. Stress hurts your heart a lot, which hurts the rest of your body. Any worry or load that your family, friends, or caregivers can take off your shoulders is a good thing that will help you feel less stressed.
Things that are bad for your health, like smoking, should be stopped. Nicotine use uses up valuable oxygen in the body, so people who want as much oxygen as possible in their bodies should stop using nicotine.
One last thing to remember is to pay attention to how your body feels. Always write down how you feel, and if anything changes, make sure to tell your doctor. Listen to the signals your body sends you to keep track of your health. Remember that CHF is a condition that can be managed and treated, but you need to make changes to your life to get the most out of it.
