Heart Failure

Learn what to do to keep yourself healthy. Use the following guidelines to manage your Congestive Heart Failure or CHF.

Watch this to learn what happens in the body when you have heart failure, as well as the different types of heart failure.

Watch this video to learn about the three zones of a heart failure action plan and how to use it to manage your health and know when to get help.

Watch this to learn when to call the doctor when you have heart failure.

This condition, also called "congestive heart failure," is when your heart becomes so weak it can't pump enough blood to meet your body's needs. It doesn't mean that your heart has stopped beating. But it's a serious condition, and it needs medical care.

This video is a patient story about Ronnie, who lives with heart failure.

Learn how heart failure medicines work to help you feel better and stay out of the hospital—watch this to learn more.

Understand the importance of keeping to a daily medication routine and learn a few strategies to keeping your medications organized.

Know the signs and symptoms that signal you should contact your healthcare provider.

Learn about the tests commonly used to diagnose heart failure.

Understanding and following your personal treatment plan can help reduce your heart failure symptoms.

See what usually occurs during healthcare appointments, and how discussions with your provider can help manage your heart failure.

Watch this to learn what ejection fraction is and how it will be monitored throughout your treatment for heart failure.

Watch this clip to learn what happens when heart failure worsens.

Learn about the different ways that your heart failure may be treated. These include new medications, possible devices like a pacemaker, or heart surgery.

Learn about the left ventricular assist device and how it can help your heart pump.

Watch this video to be able to describe what a VAD is.

Learn about your discharge information, and that following your instructions carefully may help you avoid another admission to the hospital.

Learn some common places to find strength and support while managing your heart failure.

Recognizing an increase in your symptoms of heart failure can help you take action to avoid a trip to the hospital.

Watch this video to learn how smoking affects your heart, and common ways to quit.

Heart failure can happen in 2 ways. The heart muscle may become weak and enlarged (systolic dysfunction). Or, the heart muscle may become stiff (diastolic dysfunction). Learn more about these 2 types, their symptoms, and how heart failure impacts your body.

If you have cardiomyopathy, you have a problem with the muscle tissue that makes up your heart. Cardiomyopathy means "heart muscle disease." Your heart may not be pumping as well as it should.

Cardiomyopathy means heart muscle disease. If you have cardiomyopathy, you have a problem with the muscle tissue that makes up your heart. Your heart may not be pumping as well as it should. Read on to learn more.

The heart is a muscle that pumps oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body. When you have heart failure, the heart is not able to pump as well as it should. Symptoms of heart failure can be controlled by changes in your lifestyle and by following your doctor's advice.

It's important to ask your provider questions during your visit to make sure you understand your condition and what your treatment involves.

Heart failure is a long-term condition that you need to manage over time. It's important that you manage it as your healthcare provider tells you.

This sheet will help you assess your heart health each day. It lists symptoms to watch out for, and action steps to take.

Ejection fraction is a measurement of how much blood your heart pushes out when it beats.

I'm feeling okay. I don't have new or worse shortness of breath. I don't have new weight gain. I don't have new or worse swelling in my belly, legs, ankles, or feet. I can do my usual activities. I don't have chest pain.

Learn how much sodium you should have each day, and a few tips for reducing the amount of sodium that you eat.

Understand how to read the information on the food label to help you make healthier food choices.

Understand how limiting your fluids can reduce your symptoms of heart failure.

Learn how to achieve your physical activity goals gradually and safely.

Learn what being diagnosed with heart failure means for your future. You also will be introduced to lifestyle changes such as limiting sodium, staying active, and taking new medications.

After suffering a heart attack, Patsy is diagnosed with heart failure and has to make adjustments to her daily routines.

Ronnie has been living with his heart failure diagnosis, making changes to his exercise and nutrition habits to keep his condition under control.

When you have heart failure, excess fluid is more likely to build up in your body. This makes the heart work harder to pump blood. Controlling the amount of salt (sodium) you eat may help prevent fluid from building up. Read on for some helpful ways to reduce salt.

Learn the home care necessary to care for yourself when you have been diagnosed with heart failure.

Left-sided heart failure can cause shortness of breath and trouble breathing. Learn about treatment and home care for this condition.

Swelling in the feet and ankles is one of the first signs of right-sided heart failure. Learn how this condition is treated.