When you’re diagnosed with heart failure, you need to create and follow a regimen that is easy on your weakened heart and helps it do its job. Generally, managing heart failure means following a MAWDS plan every day:
Medications
Take your medications as instructed by your healthcare providers.
Activity
If you have questions about safety and benefits regarding physical activity, this section provides helpful guidelines.
Weigh
Monitor your weight daily and inform your healthcare providers if you notice any change.
Diet
A change in diet in response to heart failure usually comes down to three major adjustments to your diet: limiting salt, fluid intake, and alcohol consumption.
Symptoms
Be aware of symptoms of heart failure, and know what to do if you experience them
Diagnostic Tests
- 3D Echo
- Cardiac Catheterization
- Cardiac CT
- Cardiac MRI
- Echocardiography
- Electrocardiograms (EKG, ECG)
- Electrophysiology Study
- Stress Testing
Treatment Procedures
- Angioplasty (PTCA, PCI)
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
- Heart Transplant Surgery
- Heart Valve Repair / Replacement
- Pacemakers and ICDs
- Septal Ablation
- Ventricular Assist Devices
- Aortic Valve Repair / Replacement
- Mitral Valve Repair / Replacement
