Heart failure is a serious condition that affects about 5 million Americans. When your heart gets weaker, it can’t push blood and fluid out of the lungs properly. This makes it harder to catch your breath. It may cause your feet, ankles, and legs to swell. You may also feel tired. Although there is no cure for heart failure, you can do a lot to feel better and stay as healthy as possible. Even simple changes may make a difference.

Strengthen Your Heart
You might think having a weak heart means you shouldn’t exercise. But the opposite is true. A moderate amount of physical activity can make your heart stronger. Rather than tire you out, exercise boosts your energy level and mood. It also improves circulation and helps you maintain a healthy weight. When you get regular exercise, high blood pressure and cholesterol are likely to drop, too.

Staying active could be as simple as putting on some comfortable shoes and taking a walk a few times a week. But not everyone with heart failure can safely exercise. Ask your health care provider what kind of exercise—and how much—is right for you.

Watch Your Plate
A healthy diet will help keep your heart failure in check. It’s especially important to limit sodium. Sodium makes the body hold on to fluids, so it makes heart failure worse.

Packaged foods such as chips, rice mixes, and canned soups are high in sodium, either from salt (salt is 40 percent sodium) or food additives. Restaurant foods are often loaded with salt, too. Even some drugs have sodium in them. If you’re not sure how to limit sodium, talk with your health care provider. He or she may also want you to limit fluids; eat more potassium-rich fruits and vegetables; and consume less fat, cholesterol, and alcohol.

Take It Easy
When you’re feeling stressed, your heart works harder. This can make symptoms worse. These tips can help you manage stress:

• Spend time with friends regularly, talk with a counselor, or join a support group.
• Learn to relax with deep breathing or tai chi.
• Do something pleasurable every day, such as reading or gardening.
• Learn to be more comfortable saying no so that you don’t take on too much.
• Schedule rest time every day—take an afternoon nap or sit with your feet up.

When you’re able to feel relaxed during the day, take your medications on time, and make a few simple lifestyle changes, you’ll be at your best.

Heart Failure Warning Signs
Call your health care provider if:

• You gain 3 or more pounds in a day
• Symptoms such as shortness of breath, swelling, or tiredness get worse
• You wake up at night feeling out of breath