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Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
What Are The Signs and Symptoms of CHF?
If your doctor has told you or a family member they have congestive heart failure or heart failure there are many things you can do to improve the symptoms and lead a more active and healthy life.
Tips For Healthier Living With CHF
- Before starting any type of diet make sure to speak to your doctor first.
- Follow a low salt diet with healthy food choices. Salt causes the body to retain water and causes swelling with an increase in body weight.
- Healthy Diet Information and Shaking Your Salt Habit.
- Tips for Eating Out.
- Tips For Healthy Cooking.
- Learn how to read food labels for the amount of salt content.
- Did you know
1 teaspoon salt = 2,000mg sodium? - 1 teaspoon baking soda = 821 mg sodium?
- 1 teaspoon baking powder = 339 mg sodium?
- 1 teaspoon MSG = 492 mg sodium?
The amount of salt you can have during the day will depend how bad your CHF is. Your doctor will tell you how much is right for you.
- Reading Food Labels
- Exercise. Consult your doctor to determine the type and amount of exercise is right for you.
- Take all medications as directed by your doctor.
- Limit the amount of liquids you drink. Ask your doctor what is right for you.
- Avoid emotional stress that makes the heart work harder.
Source: American Heart Association 2005
