Congestive heart failure means that the heart is not pumping enough oxygen-saturated blood to the other parts of the body because the heart is damaged or not functioning properly. Congestive heart failure requires regular monitoring by a doctor and lifestyle changes that can be a challenge to get used to. With the medical advances of today, congestive heart failure can be treated and people can live with it for a long time.
Lifestyle Changes
Whether you were a smoker, drinker or weren't active enough, it's important to make a lifestyle change to deal with congestive heart failure. Depending on the severity of the failure, cardiac rehabilitation can often be helpful with improving the heart's function. It may never get back to its original healthy function, but the heart is a muscle and can often improve with time and appropriate stimulation. Smoking and drinking need to cease.
Diet Changes
Congestive heart failure can be easier to cope with if there is a good diet in place. Low sodium reduces the amount of fluid buildup in the body. Fluid buildup makes the heart pump harder. And a diet low in saturated fats alleviates the work the heart must accomplish because digestion typically is a harder process with fatty foods. Those fatty foods can also narrow arteries and cause improper blood flow to and from the heart.
Mental
A large portion and very important part of dealing with congestive heart failure is the mental aspect. It's a serious condition and it can be a lot to take in. The good news is that you made it through the emergent portion of the heart failure. Now, with a new lease on life and with the appropriate changes, you can cope with the heart failure and live a healthy, happy life. It's important not to focus on the negatives, such as having to take daily medication, quitting smoking or drinking, and not being able to be as physically active as before. Take it slow and take some time to get used to your new lifestyle. Congestive heart failure treatments have come a long way and with medication or surgery, you can achieve good health. If things get stressful or tough, have someone that you can talk to about it.
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