Lifestyle changes
You have to take charge of your life. You need to undergo lifestyle changes that will make
you feel better and which may be potentially life saving. You need to know more about
your heart failure condition and commit to involve yourself actively in self-care in areas
covering diet, physical activity, stress management, work, and sexual activity. This will
help you dispel feelings of hopelessness and improve well being and outcomes.
Health education
Your caregivers and you will need to be actively involved in managing your heart condition.
Increased awareness of one’s health and knowledge of self care skills have been proven
to improve outcomes in the form of reduced hospital admissions and better quality of life.
Health education will be given by your doctor, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists and therapists.
Diet
With heart failure, you will have to adopt a healthy diet of low saturated fat, low cholesterol,
low salt and high fibre . Too much salt causes the body to retain water. You must also
watch the amount of fluids you drink. Excess body fluids increase blood pressure and
make it harder for the heart to pump blood. The dietitian will provide advice to patient and
their family members on the appropriate diet for heart failure. Subsequent visits will be
necessary to review the patient’s diet, and to answer any questions; enabling you to
improve your diet.
What to Eat?
- Less Water
- Less Salt
- Less Fat
- Less Cholesterol
- More Fiber
Alcohol and Cigarettes
Excessive alcohol directly weakens the heart and can lead to abnormal heart rhythms
that can worsen a failing heart. Smoking damages the blood vessels, reduces the amount
of oxygen in the blood and makes the heart beat faster. All of these problems can cause
and aggravate heart failure.
Exercise
Increased physical activity in the form of regular exercise is encouraged. The
physiotherapist will customise an exercise programme so that you can exercise safely.
The aim of exercise is to increase your physical fitness, and sense of well being.
Managing stress, anxiety, anger and depression
Stress, anxiety, anger and depression are commonly found in patients suffering from
heart disease. These negative emotions, if not managed appropriately, can worsen your
physical condition. Hence it is important to recognise such emotions and take steps to
reduce them.
Here are some tips to help you cope with negative emotions:
- Acknowledge your negative feelings and emotions.
- Accept reality i.e. you have heart disease and that life is not going to be the same.
- Adjust to the limitations imposed by your heart condition.
- Have a positive attitude. A positive attitude is a good defense against stress and
depression. Tell yourself that your present heart condition is a wake up call. It gives
you a chance to review your priorities and live differently.
Expect to keep on living and initiate your own healing process by:
- Finding out more about your heart disease
- Stop doing things that may have contributed to your illness e.g. smoking and
overeating.
- Start doing things that would contribute to your health e.g. regular exercises
and good diet
- Staying connected to people and accepting emotional support from your family
and friends. Joining a support group would will help.
Fill your mind with optimism, hope and peace.
- Learn to relax – relaxation is an active process involving techniques and activities
that calm your body and mind. Some of the techniques include: meditation, listening
to music, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery.
Use and practice one relaxation technique that suits you. Relaxation is a learnt skill.
So set aside time to practice it.
- Learn to laugh – “laughter is the best medicine.” Watch comedies or read books that
make you laugh. “Do not take life too seriously”.
- Do not be afraid to ask for help.
- Seek professional help if you feel depressed or experience any of the following
symptoms for more than two weeks:
- Feeling sad, anxious, irritable and nervous.
- Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy.
- Loss of energy, feeling tired all the time.
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering things or making decisions.
- Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and guilt.
- Thoughts of suicide or death
Work
People with heart failure are strongly encouraged to live as normally as possible. Under
appropriate care, most patients with heart failure are able to go back to some sort of work,
except physically heavy work.
Work stress will have to be recognised and managed accordingly. You must make time for
a healthier lifestyle, especially time for a healthier diet and time for exercise.
Energy conservation tips
Energy conservation in the course of daily activities is very important. The Occupational
Therapist will teach you, and offer you customised advice on how to do this. Below is a
very brief summary.
- Rearrange the environment
- Keep frequently used items in easily reached places
- Replace existing heavy items with lighter ones: for example, use plastic plates and cups rather than glass or porcelain.
- Install long handles on faucets and doorknobs
- Adjust workspaces, such as raising a tabletop to eliminate awkward positions.
- Consider moving your bed to the first floor to eliminate stair climbing.
- Eliminate unnecessary effort
- Sit rather than stand whenever possible: while washing your face, showering, etc.
- Use adaptive equipment to make tasks easier, eg electric toothbrush.
- Push a cart rather than carry items
- Use disposables
- Simply work as much as you can
- Avoid bending, reaching, twisting or squatting
- Plan ahead
- Gather all the things you need for a task before starting
- Plan rest breaks into activities as often as possible. Take a break before you get tired
- Schedule enough time for activities as rushing takes more energy
- Try keeping a daily activity journal for a few weeks to identify task that result in more fatigue
Sexual activity
People with heart failure can have sex.
Sexual activity is safe if you have no symptoms and precautions are taken.
Some safety tips for sexual activity:
- Wait until 1 to 2 hours after a meal
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol before and after sex.
- Be with a familiar partner in a familiar and comfortable environment.
- Have your partner assume the more physically demanding role.
Stop if there are symptoms during sexual activity and explore other ways of showing affection . Alternatively, have your partner take on the more physically demanding role.
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