What lifestyle changes should I make?

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When cutting down on the amount of salt (sodium) in your diet, you may be tempted to reach for a salt substitute. Youll find many varieties of salt substitute in the spice aisle in your local grocery store. But if you have heart failure, youll need to exercise some caution. …

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Try to select meals that have 600 mg or less sodium per serving and snacks that have 200 mg or less sodium per serving. This table will help you find foods to choose and avoid in major food categories. Foods to choose and avoid on a low-sodium diet …

We all need to consume some sodium every day to help our bodies function properly. But certain medical conditions, including heart failure, require a decreased intake of this nutrient. Sodium can act like a sponge in our bodies, causing extra fluid to build up in the blood and body tissues. This extra fluid creates more work for the heart. It also can make symptoms such as high blood pressure and fluid buildup around…

We all need fluid every day to keep our bodies functioning properly. However, in heart failure extra fluid may build up in the body, making the heart have to work harder. Restricting fluid intake can help to limit this buildup of fluid in your body.…

Ask plenty of questions. You are paying to eat out so do not hesitate to ask about how items are prepared. Whenever possible, ask for your choices to be made without salt. Avoid any entree or side dish with cream, cheese, or seasoned sauces. Request items plain or if necessary, with sauces/dressings on the side. …

Your fluid restriction may leave you thirsty or with a dry mouth from time to time. These suggestions may help you feel more comfortable: Rinse your mouth out with water. Spit the water out. Do not swallow. Chill mouthwash and gargle for a fresh feeling. Add a few drops of lemon juice to ice cubes or crushed ice and slowly let the ice melt in your mouth. Remember, 1 cup ice…

There are many things you can do to reduce the amount of sodium in your diet. 1. Avoid adding salt to food at the table or while cooking. 2. Avoid commercially prepared and packaged foods whenever possible. Frozen entrees, pizzas, and boxed pasta/macaroni and cheese; rice, noodle, and stuffing mixes with seasoning packets …

Limit your sodium intake to 2 grams, or 2,000 milligrams (mg), per day. Much of our sodium intake comes from table salt. Here are the approximate amounts of sodium in a given amount of table salt: One shake of a salt shaker = 200 mg sodium 1/4 teaspoon salt = 575 mg sodium 1/2 teaspoon salt = 1,150 mg sodium 3/4 teaspoon salt = 1,725 mg sodium 1 teaspoon salt = 2,300 mg…

You should limit your fluid intake to 2 liters a day. 2 liters is equal to 64 fluid ounces, or eight 8-ounce glasses.…

Anything that is liquid at room temperature counts as fluid. Certain watery fruits and vegetables also count as fluids. The following all count towards your daily 2-liter fluid limit: ice cubes soup ice cream sorbet milkshake popsicle Fruits: watermelon, strawberries, grapefruit, and cantaloupe Vegetables: cucumber, celery, and tomatoes…

Shortness of breath-especially during any type of exertion-is one of the cardinal signs of heart failure. That may lead you to think that you shouldnt exert yourself. In fact, the opposite is true. Aerobic exercise is generally safe for patients with heart failure, but you should confirm this with your physician before embarking on a training program. Regular exercise may actually benefit heart failure patients by training the muscles to extract oxygen from…