Simple lifestyle changes to help you treat congestive heart failure

As frightening as the phrase "heart failure" might sound, restoring the heart’s ability to pump efficiently is a fairly simple process. Here are some ways you can treat congestive heart failure with simple lifestyle changes.

Once you are feeling better, the main task will be to determine just why your heart started to perform poorly in the first place.

• Sometimes the cause has nothing to do with your heart at all: it may be the result of another ailment altogether (such as diabetes, emphysema, thyroid disease, alcohol abuse, sleep apnea, anemia) or the use of certain medications (including muscle-enhancing steroids).
• But if your episode of heart failure is like most people’s — a consequence of an already existing cardiac condition — then you'll need to work with your doctor to deal with the underlying ailment.
• Here, the ultimate goal is to allow you to resume your normal activities while at the same time preventing a heart attack, stroke or other complication down the road.

Simple lifestyle measures can improve your quality of life and help to keep you away from the hospital.

• Go easy on the salt. Aim for 2,000 milligrams or less of sodium a day. Too much salt causes the body to retain fluids, raising your blood pressure; salt also causes small blood vessels to constrict.
• Exercise. Once actively discouraged for those with heart failure, a moderate exercise program has proven beneficial for many with CHF. A few minutes of walking or light weights, two to five times a week, may be all it takes. Be sure to consult your doctor before starting any type of exercise program.
• Seek support. People who are married or who have a strong social network generally fare much better than those who go it alone. Try to cultivate friendships and join a local support group.
• Practice stress-reduction techniques. Yoga, progressive muscle relaxation and meditation have all proved effective. They lower blood pressure and have other cardiac benefits as well.

Certainly, although obviously you'll need to slow down if you develop chest pain (because of underlying coronary heart disease) or other troubling symptoms.

• Also, if you are a man who takes a stimulant you shouldn't continue to use it if you are taking nitroglycerin or other nitrates for your heart condition.
• Even though the topic of sex may embarrass you, it’s still a good idea to discuss it openly with your doctor.

A few small studies indicate that the amino acids taurine (500 milligrams L-taurine twice a day) or arginine (1,000 milligrams twice a day) may offer some therapeutic benefits for those with heart failure.

• Along with coenzyme Q10 (100 milligrams twice a day) other supplements have also been proposed for treatment.
• Large studies of these substances are lacking, however, and none can cure heart failure.

It is good to remember that a healthy diet, rich in whole grains, fish, olive oil and fresh fruits and vegetables, is always a good strategy.