Living Well with Heart Failure

Living with heart failure can feel overwhelming, but with the right medical care, lifestyle adjustments, and support, many people are able to manage their symptoms and maintain a good quality of life. The Orlando Senior Help Desk at Jewish Pavilion Senior Services is here to help seniors and their families navigate these challenges. For guidance and community resources, call 407-678-9363.

Follow a Heart-Healthy Diet

Nutrition plays a critical role in managing heart failure. Without proper dietary habits, symptoms can worsen. Work closely with your doctor and health care team to create an individualized eating plan.

A heart-healthy diet typically includes:

• A variety of fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains
• Lean meats, poultry, and fish
• Beans and legumes
• Fat-free or low-fat dairy products

It should be low in:

• Saturated and trans fats
• Cholesterol
• Sodium (salt)
• Added sugars

Most physicians recommend limiting salt intake because sodium causes the body to retain fluid. Fluid buildup increases the heart’s workload and can intensify heart failure symptoms.

Monitor Fluid Intake

For individuals with heart failure, drinking too much fluid can lead to worsening symptoms. Your doctor will advise you on how much and what types of fluids are appropriate each day.

Daily weight monitoring is essential. Sudden weight gain may signal fluid retention. Report any rapid increase in weight to your doctor promptly. Alcohol should be avoided, as it can further weaken the heart muscle.

Control Underlying Conditions

Managing related health conditions helps prevent heart failure from progressing. If you have:

• High blood pressure
• Coronary artery disease
• Diabetes

Work closely with your health care team to keep these conditions under control. Regularly monitor your blood pressure and blood sugar as directed.

Additional Steps for Better Health

• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight under medical supervision.
• Stay physically active as recommended by your doctor. Even moderate activity can strengthen the heart and improve stamina.
• Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke. Smoking damages blood vessels and worsens heart failure. For help, visit Smokefree.gov or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).
• Avoid illegal drugs, which can severely strain the heart.
• Get adequate rest to support overall health.

When Heart Failure Progresses

As heart failure advances, lifestyle changes and medications may no longer fully control symptoms. In some cases, additional medical interventions are necessary.

Oxygen Therapy

People with severe heart failure may require oxygen therapy, either in the hospital or at home, to ease breathing difficulties. Preventing respiratory infections is also important. Speak with your doctor about vaccinations for pneumonia and influenza.

Implantable Devices

If the heart’s pumping action becomes uncoordinated or dangerously irregular, your doctor may recommend:

• Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT): A specialized pacemaker that helps both sides of the heartbeat in sync, improving efficiency and reducing symptoms.
• Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD): A device that monitors heart rhythm and delivers electrical pulses to correct life-threatening irregular heartbeats.

Advanced Treatments

For severe cases that do not respond to other therapies, options may include:

• Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs): Mechanical pumps that help circulate blood.
• Heart transplantation: A life-saving option for end-stage heart failure when other treatments have failed.
• Clinical trials: Ongoing research continues to explore new therapies.

Know the Warning Signs

Watch for signs that heart failure may be worsening, including sudden weight gain, swelling in the legs or abdomen, increasing shortness of breath, or fatigue. Early intervention can prevent hospitalization.

Managing heart failure requires coordination, education, and support. The Orlando Senior Help Desk at Jewish Pavilion Senior Services connects seniors and caregivers with trusted medical, social, and community resources.

For assistance, call 407-678-9363. You are not alone – help is just a phone call away.