Living with heart failure

Being diagnosed with heart failure can be unsettling for you and your family.  It can raise all sorts of questions about what you can and can’t do and what your future is going to be like. 

Learning how to manage your symptoms and taking your medication can help you to keep your condition under control.

Keeping track of medications and progress

You’re probably taking a combination of many different medications to treat your heart failure and it can be hard to keep track.

Taking the right medication properly will help to control your symptoms so it’s important you understand what your different medications do.

It’s a good idea to keep a record of useful information that you can tell your doctors and heart failure nurse, this includes things like your symptoms, daily weight and fluid intake. It can also be helpful to record your blood test results and blood pressure measurements.

Our heart failure personal record can help with this, you can make notes about all of these details, and any other important information your doctor might want to keep track of. 

Making changes

You may need to make some changes in your life because of your heart failure – from getting some help with the housework to changing jobs. This can be difficult, especially at first, but most people adjust and cope well with these changes over time.

Some activities you used to find easy may be a challenge at first, but setting realistic goals and making small steps will help you get there.  

• Watch Edith’s story and see how setting goals helped her get back to swimming.
• Find out about Sheila’s heart failure experience and how she breaks down her tasks.

Staying active

Regular physical activity can help to improve your energy and stamina. Being active can sometimes be challenge, but even a small amount of activity every day is good for you.

Start at a level that suits you and set realistic goals about what you are able to do. Your ability will depend on your symptoms and how well you feel overall.

Even if you are feeling well it’s important not to overdo it. This can leave you exhausted the next day.  It can be helpful to spread your activity throughout the day. Do a small amount at a time, along with regular rest periods.

It can be tempting to overstretch yourself and try to keep up with other people, but this can make you feel worse. While it can be hard to force yourself to rest, particularly if you are feeling well, in the long run it will mean that you are more able to keep your condition and symptoms under control.

• Heart Matters have tips on living with fatigue when you have a heart condition.
• Hear from Charlotte who has adapted to a different pace of life since her heart failure diagnosis.

Getting help and support

Your family, friends and carers can be a great source of both practical and emotional support.

• Talking to loved ones about how you’re feeling might be hard, but they will want to understand. Being open and honest can help you all move forward.
• If you're used to being the one who cares for people around you, it can be difficult to adjust to needing help yourself. Watch John and Nicola’s stories to see how they've adapted to the change.
• On the emotional support pages you can find information about coping with depression and anxiety, how to find counselling and the impact of stress on your heart.
• Our practical support pages provide information about holidays and travelling, sex with a heart conditions and driving.
• Joining a Heart Support Group can be helpful. You'll meet people who've been through similar experiences and be able to share your experiences with them. Norman found hope and encouragement through his support group.
• Your heart failure nurse can also be a great source of information and support. At this time, face-to-face support may not be available but you should be able to access telephone or video support. 

More help and information

• Talk to your GP who’ll signpost you to support.
• Call our Heart Helpline.
• Join our online community to talk to patients and carers, and read other people’s experiences and tips for living with heart and circulatory disease. 

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