Recognize Your Symptoms
As you become more aware of how to manage your diagnosis with the MAWDS plan, you’ll learn how crucial YOU are in maintaining your health. The final component of this plan highlights the importance in recognizing your own heart failure symptoms and taking appropriate action.
What if my symptoms become worse?
It is your responsibility to be aware of your symptoms and communicate any changes to your healthcare providers. When you do, they will make necessary adjustments to your treatments before the symptoms becoming too severe. This keeps you out of the hospital.
What if I have no symptoms?
Although it’s possible to have heart failure but not experience symptoms, do not ignore your diagnosis and treatment plan. You are still responsible for following treatments, including taking prescribed medication to prevent any progression of your heart disease.
Dear Diary…
Your Heart Failure Self-Care Diary should be used to monitor your symptoms and be sure you follow your MAWDS plan. Remember: even if you don’t experience symptoms, follow your treatment plan
This Heart Failure Action Plan should be used to both monitor your condition and keep bad situations from becoming worse. It divides your symptoms into three zones. Use your Diary to record these zones daily.
Heart Failure Action Plan
Go (Green) – Maintain Therapy
- Feeling well
- No trouble breathing
- Stable weight
- Stable symptoms
Great! Keep following MAWDS!
Caution (Yellow) – Step Up Therapy
- Not feeling well
- Weight has increased 2 pounds in one day or you are 5 pounds over your target
- Bloating or swelling
- Difficulty breathing at night and with activity
- Increased symptoms
Talk to your healthcare provider and find out how to prevent severe symptoms.
Alert (Red) – Get Help Now
- Trouble breathing or a heavy chest at rest
- Weight increases more than 5 pounds in one day
- Fainting
- Severe symptoms
Call your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room. DO NOT try to treat this yourself.
