癌症营养指南：治疗期间及之后的健康饮食
Heart failure means your heart cannot pump blood as well as it should. This guide explains how to manage symptoms, follow treatments, and live well with the condition.
Heart failure is a long-term condition that can be managed with medicines, lifestyle changes, and regular monitoring. Tracking daily weight, limiting salt, staying active as advised, and taking medications exactly as prescribed help reduce symptoms and hospital visits. Seek urgent care for sudden weight gain, severe shortness of breath, or chest pain.
Overview
Heart failure (sometimes called congestive heart failure) occurs when the heart muscle becomes too weak or stiff to pump blood effectively to meet the body’s needs. It does not mean the heart has stopped working. With modern treatments and self-care, many people live full, active lives for years. Management focuses on easing symptoms, slowing progression, and preventing complications such as fluid buildup or hospitalizations.
Signs & Symptoms
Symptoms can develop gradually or suddenly and may come and go. Common ones include shortness of breath (especially when lying flat or during activity), persistent coughing or wheezing, swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, or abdomen (edema), unusual tiredness or weakness, rapid or irregular heartbeat, reduced ability to exercise, and needing to urinate more at night. Sudden weight gain of more than 2–3 pounds in a day or 5 pounds in a week often signals fluid retention.
- Shortness of breath with activity or at rest
- Swelling in lower legs, ankles, or abdomen
- Fatigue and reduced exercise tolerance
- Rapid weight gain from fluid
- Persistent cough or frothy sputum
- Difficulty concentrating or confusion in advanced cases
Causes & Risk Factors
Heart failure often develops after other conditions damage or overwork the heart. Leading causes include coronary artery disease and prior heart attack, high blood pressure (hypertension), cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease), heart valve problems, and irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation. Diabetes, obesity, sleep apnea, heavy alcohol use, certain chemotherapy drugs, and viral infections can also contribute. Risk rises with age, family history, smoking, and poorly controlled chronic conditions.
Diagnosis
Doctors diagnose heart failure through medical history, physical exam (listening for fluid in lungs or heart sounds), and tests. These may include blood tests (such as BNP or NT-proBNP to check for heart strain), chest X-ray, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart to measure ejection fraction), and sometimes stress tests, cardiac MRI, or coronary angiography. Ejection fraction helps classify the type: reduced (HFrEF) or preserved (HFpEF). Early diagnosis allows better management.
Treatment & Management
Treatment is personalized and usually lifelong. Core approaches include medications that help the heart pump better, reduce fluid, lower blood pressure, and protect the heart muscle. Common classes are ACE inhibitors or ARBs (or ARNI), beta-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), SGLT2 inhibitors, and diuretics (“water pills”). Device therapies such as implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may be recommended for some people. In advanced cases, options can include specialized procedures or evaluation for transplant. Lifestyle changes form the foundation of every plan.
| Treatment Area | Examples | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Medications | ACEI/ARB/ARNI, beta-blockers, SGLT2i, diuretics, MRAs | Improve pumping, reduce fluid, protect heart |
| Lifestyle | Low-salt diet, daily weighing, activity | Control fluid and symptoms |
| Devices/Procedures | ICD, CRT, valve repair if needed | Prevent sudden events or improve rhythm |
| Monitoring | Regular check-ups, lab tests | Adjust therapy and catch problems early |
Never stop or change heart failure medicines without talking to your care team. Some drugs (like certain NSAIDs for pain) can worsen fluid retention—always check first.
Living With It
Living well with heart failure means partnering with your healthcare team, tracking symptoms daily, and making sustainable habits. Many people continue working, traveling, and enjoying hobbies with proper management. Cardiac rehabilitation programs offer supervised exercise, education, and support. Emotional health matters too—anxiety or low mood is common; talk to your doctor about counseling or support groups. Keep all appointments, get recommended vaccines (flu, COVID-19, pneumonia), and maintain open communication about any new symptoms or side effects.
With consistent care, symptoms can stabilize or improve, and quality of life can remain high. Focus on what you can control each day: medicines, diet, activity, and monitoring.
Medical Review Team
WellAlly Medical Editorial Team
This content is not a replacement for professional medical advice.
Recovery & management timeline
Days 1–14 (or hospital stay if needed)
Diagnosis and Initial Stabilization
Complete tests, start or adjust medications, learn daily weighing and symptom tracking, receive education on diet and activity limits. Follow up closely with cardiology or primary care.
Weeks 2–8
Building Self-Management Skills
Establish routine of morning weight checks, low-sodium meals, prescribed exercise or cardiac rehab, and medication adherence. Report weight gains or symptom changes promptly. Lab monitoring for kidney function and electrolytes.
Months and beyond
Ongoing Maintenance
Continue daily self-checks, regular clinic visits (every 1–6 months as advised), stay active within guidelines, manage coexisting conditions (blood pressure, diabetes), and update advance care plans as needed.
As condition progresses
Advanced or Worsening Phases
Discuss advanced therapies, palliative care options for symptom relief, and goals of care with your team. Intensify monitoring and support services.
Self-care steps
1Weigh yourself every morning
Use the same scale after urinating and before eating or drinking. Record the number. Call your care team if you gain more than 2–3 pounds in one day or 5 pounds in a week—this often means fluid buildup that needs attention.
2Limit sodium (salt)
Aim for less than 2,000 mg of sodium per day (or the target your doctor sets). Read food labels, avoid processed and restaurant foods, cook with herbs and spices instead of salt, and rinse canned items.
3Take medicines exactly as prescribed
Use a pill organizer or app reminders. Do not skip doses even if you feel better. Keep an updated list of all medicines and bring it to every appointment. Ask about side effects and what to do if you miss a dose.
4Stay physically active as advised
Walk or do light activity most days if your doctor approves. Cardiac rehabilitation is highly recommended. Rest when needed and avoid extreme temperatures or overexertion. Report new chest pain or severe breathlessness.
5Monitor fluid and alcohol
Follow any fluid restriction your team gives (often 1.5–2 liters/day if advised). Limit alcohol, which can weaken the heart further. Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
6Track symptoms and keep appointments
Note shortness of breath, swelling, energy levels, and sleep. Use a notebook or app. Attend all follow-ups and get bloodwork as ordered so medicines can be safely adjusted.
When to seek medical help
Call emergency services (911) or go to the ER immediately for: sudden severe shortness of breath or inability to catch your breath, chest pain or pressure that may spread to arm/jaw/back, fainting or near-fainting, coughing up pink frothy sputum, rapid weight gain with severe swelling, confusion or extreme drowsiness, or a very rapid/irregular heartbeat with dizziness. Contact your doctor the same day for milder but concerning changes such as increased swelling, new or worsening cough, reduced urine output, or weight gain of 2–3 pounds overnight.
Frequently asked questions
Is heart failure the same as a heart attack?
Can heart failure be cured?
How much salt is too much?
Should I exercise if I have heart failure?
What is ejection fraction and why does it matter?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3CDC – Heart FailureSource
- 4
- 5NHS – Heart FailureSource
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Medical Editorial Team · Last reviewed October 9, 2026. · Read our editorial policy