As those with the condition know, heart failure does not necessarily mean that the heart has completely failed or stopped. If you have the condition, it means that you will need to adapt and adjust to living with a serious, chronic disease and make a range of lifestyle changes in order to keep your health levels as high as possible, avoid running into any complications, and of course prolong your life. Experts say that ‘heart failure’ is an inaccurate term for the condition, as it does not mean that your heart has stopped. In fact, it’s possible to live a life that is productive and fulfilling, even with this condition, by simply making some lifestyle changes and following these steps.
Look After Your Mental Health:
During all of the heart failure stages, it’s important to put your mental health on the top of your priority list. Many patients find it easy to become wrapped up in their condition and let it define them and what they do with their life, neglecting other aspects of their overall physical and mental health. This in and of itself can take its toll, as you may be left feeling like the condition is taking over.
Taking your medication may seem obvious, but you may be surprised at how easy it is to forget this, especially in the early days. With heart failure, you will be given a whole range of medications by your doctor, including ACE inhibitors to relax blood vessels, Beta-blockers to reduce blood pressure, and other pills depending on your personal situation and stage of the condition. It is absolutely crucial that you take these pills regularly and ensure you make a habit of it, until it becomes second nature.
There is nothing worse than feeling like you are an outsider looking in when it comes to your health, especially when you are living with a chronic condition such as heart failure. Getting involved as much as possible with your health care team by talking to them regularly is important for your progress. Many doctors recommend keeping a journal which details information about not only your physical feelings, but also how it is affecting you mentally, which you can share with your healthcare providers in order to give them a better idea of how they can best help and support you.
Although people with heart failure often tire out and experience shortness of breath easily, this doesn’t mean that you have a good excuse not to exercise. In fact, quite the opposite – being as active as is comfortably possible can have a great effect on your condition and can leave you feeling better and stronger. Along with being active, it’s important to know when rest is needed, too. Even a short, ten-minute walk each day can be very beneficial for your heart – there’s no need for strenuous exercise, just moderate activity!
Being diagnosed with heart failure doesn’t mean your heart has completely failed – by looking after yourself properly, you can keep it going for a long time.