Patient Education

Heart Failure - Frequently Asked Questions

What You Can Do to Take Care of Yourself

The Basics

Although the treatment of CHF will usually help you feel better,
there is no real cure. There are, however, several things you can do
to help keep your CHF under control.

1. Take your medicines exactly as your doctor has prescribed them.

Avoid missing doses. Never take two doses at once. (A
slotted pill box may help you remember when to take your
medicines.) Do not take over-the-counter medications
without your doctor’s knowledge, including vitamins, herbs,
or remedies from a health food store. Some over-the-counter
drugs, such as Advil®, Motrin®, or Nuprin® (ibuprofen), Aleve®
(naproxen), and Orudis® (ketoproxen), may make your CHF
worse. Record the medications you take on your Medication
Schedule. Bring your Medication Schedule with you when you
visit your doctor. If you have any questions about your
medications, please call your doctor.

2. Follow your diet closely.

“Cheating” on your diet may make your CHF worse and lead
to the need for urgent medical care. If you are unsure whether
certain foods are “okay,” please ask your doctor, nurse, or
dietitian.

Do not eat a large amount of salt (sodium) or salty foods at
any one time.

3. Weigh yourself daily.

Weigh yourself on the same scale every morning after
urinating and before eating. Be sure your scale is on a hard
surface—not on a rug. Record your weight on your Daily
Weight Diary. Bring your Daily Weight Diary with you when
you visit your doctor. Gaining weight may mean that fluid
build-up is occurring again.

4. Make an appointment with your doctor to get vaccinated against influenza (the flu) every fall.

Fall (October to December) is the best time to get
vaccinated — before the flu season begins. Be sure to tell your
doctor or nurse if you have a serious allergy to eggs, or if you
have ever had a serious allergic reaction or other problem
after a flu shot.

Also, be sure to get vaccinated against pneumococcal
infection if you are 65 or older. In most cases, one
pneumococcal vaccination lasts a lifetime. You can get a
pneumococcal vaccination any time during the year. A
pneumococcal vaccination protects you against some types of
pneumonia, meningitis, and blood-stream infection.

5. Call your doctor or nurse if you begin feeling worse or if any of the following problems occur:

• sudden weight gain (two to three pounds in one day)
• weight gain of four to five pounds in five days
• significant loss of appetite with weight loss
• increased shortness of breath, especially when
lying down
• increased swelling of the legs
• a cough that does not go away
• any side effects from medication

Many of these problems can be treated. If they go
untreated, they may cause you to be admitted to the hospital.

Remember, whenever you feel worse, ask your doctor or nurse for help.

Download "Congestive Heart Failure: A Patient's Guide" (pdf) - 552 KB

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