Supporting Stronger Heart Function

Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure (CHF), happens when your heart muscle does not pump fluid through your body effectively. When your heart becomes weak, fluid backs up in your circulation and spills into your tissues and lungs, causing shortness of breath and swelling.

To manage CHF at home, pay close attention to your fluid status and take measures to support the function of your heart.

Daily Rules

It is crucial to monitor yourself for signs of fluid buildup and catch it early to avoid an emergency.

Each day, check in with yourself.

Weigh yourself daily, before breakfast. Monitoring your weight is a way to keep track of the amount of fluid in your body. Call your doctor if you gain 2 lbs. in a day or 5 lbs. in a week.
Take your medications as prescribed. Let your doctor know right away if you have any problems obtaining or taking medications.
Feel your ankles, legs, stomach, and feet to check for swelling. If your fingers create a dent in your tissues, it’s a sign of fluid buildup.
Check the sodium content in the food you eat. Ask your doctor about your daily limit. High levels of sodium — found in table salt — trap fluid in your body.
Get exercise and stay active.

Your Ejection Fraction

Your ejection fraction is a percentage that measures how well your heart muscle is working. It compares the amount of blood that goes into your heart to the amount that goes out when your heart pumps. An ejection fraction below 40% is considered heart failure. Talk to your doctor about what you can do to improve your ejection fraction.

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation, or cardiac rehab, can help strengthen your heart muscle with safe exercise to help it pump more effectively. If your doctor recommends a cardiac rehab program, you will also learn about diet, medications, stress management, and lifestyle changes.

Exercise for Effective Recovery

A cardiac rehab program uses medically supervised exercise guided by a team of specialists.

They will:

Monitor your blood pressure and heart rhythm
Help you with cardiovascular exercise, such as walking or jogging on a treadmill or using a bike
Direct strength training if it is safe for you
Increase your exercise intensity gradually

Your goal is moderate exercise: your heart rate will increase, but you should still be able to have a conversation.

Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet

When you have heart failure, your doctor will determine a limit for sodium and fluid intake. Sodium is present in table salt and is added to many processed foods.

Beyond watching sodium and fluids, support your overall heart health by eating:

Fresh fruit and vegetables
Nuts and seeds
Beans
Whole grains
Fish
Lean meats
Eggs
Healthy oils, such as olive oil

Medications

The medications your doctor prescribes work to keep your fluid in balance and support your heart muscle. Some common medications your doctor may prescribe include:

Blood pressure medications. These lower your blood pressure by opening your blood vessels, reducing the work on your heart. Some examples are lisinopril, losartan, amlodipine, diltiazem, nifedipine, and verapamil.
Beta blockers. These lower blood pressure and increase the force of your heart when it pumps. Some examples are carvedilol, labetalol, and metoprolol.
Diabetes medications. Some diabetes medications, called SGLT-2 inhibitors, can also help with heart failure by lowering blood pressure and helping you lose weight. Some examples are empagliflozin and dapagliflozin.
Diuretics. These medications help you expel extra fluid as urine. Some examples are furosemide, bumetanide, and hydrochlorothiazide.
Potassium. Diuretic medications can cause you to lose potassium in your urine. Potassium helps control your heart rhythm. Having a blood potassium level that is either too high or too low is dangerous.
Digoxin. This medication is used to strengthen the force of the heart when it pumps and to regulate your heart rate if it is too fast. It requires careful monitoring.

Symptoms: When to Get Help

Check your symptoms daily and note which zone you are in. Let your doctor know if you are in the yellow zone and get emergency care if you have any red-zone symptoms.

Dry Weight

Your dry weight is what you weigh when you have the right amount of fluid in your body. Talk to your doctor to learn your dry weight. It is essential to know when you are in balance. Too much fluid is called fluid overload: Extra fluid causes swelling and difficulty breathing. Dehydration is the opposite: You don’t have enough fluid to support your blood flow and perform necessary functions.