How to Prevent Heart Failure

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart has trouble pumping blood. This may mean that the heart cannot pump enough blood out to the body, or that the heart does not fill up with enough blood.

Either of those problems can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, trouble breathing, and swelling throughout the body.

This is a common medical condition that affects not only the heart, but the entire body. Making certain nutrition and lifestyle changes can help you prevent heart failure and avoid serious health problems.

What nutrition changes can be made?

• If you are overweight or obese, reduce how many calories you eat each day so that you lose weight. Work with your health care provider or a diet and nutrition specialist (dietitian) to determine how many calories you need each day.
• Eat foods that are low in salt (sodium). Avoid adding extra salt to foods.
• Eat a well-balanced diet that includes a lot of:
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • Whole grains.
  • Lean meats.
  • Beans.
  • Fat-free or low-fat dairy products.
• Avoid foods that contain a lot of:
  • Trans fats.
  • Saturated fats.
  • Sugar.
  • Cholesterol.

What lifestyle changes can be made?

• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting or reducing how much you smoke, ask your health care provider.
• Stop using alcohol, or limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink a day for nonpregnant women and 2 drinks a day for men. One drink equals 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1½ oz of hard liquor.
• Exercise for at least 150 minutes each week, or as much as told by your health care provider.
  • Do moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, bicycling, or water aerobics.
  • Ask your health care provider which activities are safe for you.
• See a health care provider regularly for screening and wellness checks. Know your heart health indicators, such as:
  • Blood pressure.
  • Cholesterol levels.
  • Blood sugar (glucose) levels.
  • Weight and BMI.
• If you have diabetes, manage your condition and follow your treatment plan as instructed.
• Try to get 7–9 hours of sleep each night. To help with sleep:
  • Keep your bedroom cool and dark.
  • Do not eat a heavy meal during the hour before you go to bed.
  • Do not drink alcohol or caffeinated drinks before bed.
  • Avoid screen time before bedtime. This means avoiding television, computers, tablets, and cell phones.
• Find ways to relax and manage stress. These may include:
  • Breathing exercises.
  • Meditation.
  • Yoga.
  • Listening to music.

Why are these changes important?

• A well-balanced diet with the appropriate amount of calories can keep your body weight at a healthy level, which reduces strain on your heart.
• A low-sodium diet can help keep your blood pressure in a normal range and keep your blood vessels working properly.
• Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol intake can reduce harmful effects that these substances have on your heart and blood vessels.
• Regular exercise can keep your heart strong so it can pump blood normally.
• Managing diabetes helps your blood circulate and can help you maintain a healthy weight.
• Managing stress helps to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and heart problems.

What can happen if changes are not made?

Heart failure can cause very serious problems that may get worse over time, such as:

• Extreme fatigue during normal physical activities.
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing.
• Swelling in your abdomen, legs, ankles, feet, or neck.
• Fluid buildup throughout the body.
• Weight gain.
• Cough.
• Frequent urination.

What can I do to lower my risk?

You may be able to lower your risk of heart failure by:

• Losing weight or keeping your weight under control.
• Working with your health care provider to manage your:
  • Cholesterol.
  • Blood pressure.
  • Diabetes, if this applies.
• Eating a healthy diet.
• Exercising regularly.
• Avoiding unhealthy habits, such as smoking, drinking, or using drugs.
• Getting plenty of sleep.
• Managing your stress.

How is this treated?

Heart failure cannot be cured except by heart transplant, but treatment can help to improve your quality of life. Treatment may include:

• Medicines to help:
  • Lower blood pressure.
  • Remove excess sodium from your body.
  • Relax blood vessels.
  • Improve heart function.
  • Control other symptoms of heart failure.
• Surgery to open blocked coronary arteries or repair damaged heart valves.
• Implantation of a biventricular pacemaker to improve heart muscle function (cardiac resynchronization therapy). This device paces both the right ventricle and left ventricle.
• Implantation of a device to treat serious abnormal heart rhythms (implantable cardioverter defibrillator, ICD).
• Implantation of a mechanical heart pump to improve the pumping ability of your heart (left ventricular assist device, LVAD).
• Heart transplant. This treatment is considered for certain people who do not improve with other treatments.

Where to find more information

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hf
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_heart_failure.htm
• NIH Senior Health: nihseniorhealth.gov/heartfailure/heartfailuredefined/01.html
• American Heart Association: www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartFailure/Heart-Failure_UCM_002019_SubHomePage.jsp

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have rapid weight gain.
• You have increasing shortness of breath that is unusual for you.
• You tire easily, or you are unable to participate in your usual activities.
• You cough more than normal, especially with physical activity.
• You have any swelling or more swelling in areas such as your hands, feet, ankles, or abdomen.

Summary

• Heart failure can be prevented by making changes to your diet and your lifestyle.
• It is important to eat a healthy diet, manage your weight, exercise regularly, manage stress, avoid drugs and alcohol, and keep your cholesterol and blood pressure under control.
• Heart failure can cause very serious problems over time.