Tips for HF

[Dizzylady305]

Have any of you lovely people any tips for lifestyle, exercise, diet etc for feeling better. I'm new to this and not been given much guidance. I just feel tired and breathless all the time. Will I always feel like this or can I improve?. Thanks

[Clerkenweller]

You can definitely improve. The BHF have free sheets advising on diet and exercise regimes. Lots of vegetables and fruit, low fat protein. Cut out alcohol, smoking, sugary drinks and deep fried foods are my personal tips. Walking is always good.

[Dizzylady305 in reply to Clerkenweller]

Thank you

[devonian186]

Have you had any diet sheets or exercise tips? What was your diagnosed? Have you had surgery? what is your EF?

Without knowing a bit of your background its difficult to give advice other than take what exercise you can safely do, ensure your diet is good and follow the medication guidelines. They can often cause the problems you describe and alternatives may be available

[Dizzylady305 in reply to devonian186]

Hiya not really had a proper diagnosis apart from AF. Or seen the cardiac team. I'm a bit in the dark perhaps in the near future sometime I may get a proper appointment. X

[francesw47]

Hi. As clerkenweller says! In fact, as any one of us should be doing to support our heart health. Good diet (BHF recommend the Mediterranean diet and some interesting studies recently showed this to be highly effective), hydration and walking. I get very tired - but I'm not the best at the pacing thing so tend to go for it then crash. There are days when I simply cannot do much at all - and on those days I relax, read or watch films on catch up TV. Its a matter of listening to the body - mine usually shouts when I need to stop. But improvement is possible - some of the drugs to support the heart are brilliant - so I do as I am told and take the drug regime as instructed. I had a conversation with the surgery clinical pharmacist (who is a brilliant young man and expert on heart meds) to discuss how best to take each drug to optimise effectiveness - which was useful.

Otherwise, I try and live a full life, recognising some limitations - tiredness and breathlessness being two of them.

Have you looked at the Pumping Marvellous website? It is very helpful and informative.

[Dizzylady305 in reply to francesw47]

Thanks for the advise, going to look up the med diet. Thanks

[SLK-14]

Hello there...ask your health care team to refer you to a Cardiac Rehabilitation Classes. They will monitor your condition throughout the class and recommend an exercise programme for you. I was diagnosed with Heart Failure three years ago with an EF of 25...now with medication, exercise and a good diet my EF is 41. Things can definitely improve for you. Good luck and take care 😊

[irishwife93]

Until you receive personalised advice keep it simple! Walking is great, doesn’t require any fancy equipment and it’s free. Food wise, eat natural non processed foods and drink water. If you must have a treat, have it in moderation and try to have a less processed version. We’ve started buying popcorn kernels and making popcorn on the stove so it doesn’t have any added salt. It’s really good. A Granny Smith apple with a bit of peanut butter is also very nice. Squares of good quality chocolate is another great snack - and the darker the less sugar it will have.

The Mediterranean diet is a great suggestion. Fill your plate with fruit or veg, and a bit of protein and some slow releasing carbohydrates - think brown rice, brown pasta, wholemeal bread. The more fibre the less likely it is to spike your blood sugar. Avoid processed foods. It might sound complicated but you’re essentially simplifying your food by eating it in its most natural form! A great dinner example is some roasted veggies and grilled fish or chicken with herbs to give it some flavour. For breakfast I love Greek yoghurt with some fruit and nuts. Lunch is veg soup and some brown bread. Boiled eggs are another good one! You’ll find your rhythm eventually.

Good luck with it all!

[Bruno89 in reply to irishwife93]

Useful post this thanks.

[Dizzylady305 in reply to irishwife93]

Thanks

[Dizzylady305]

Thank you all for the brilliant advise I've not had much interaction with the heart team at my local hospital so was a bit in the dark. I found out I had HF from a letter I was copied into to my doctor so it's all been a bit of a shock .

[irishwife93]

I’m sorry you had to find out that way! The communication across the NHS can be quite bad at times. My husband was given a leaflet on heart failure so we filled in the blanks - I always imagined someone would sit you down and allow you ask questions! Recently he’s been referred for a pre operative fitness assessment to see how he’ll deal with anaesthesia during an operation - for which operation we do not know! I find the BHF website to be a great resource. They also have a helpline with trained cardiac nurses available to talk to you - give them a ring and they can give you some information and reassurance!

[Dizzylady305 in reply to irishwife93]

Thanks for that most helpful. I've been looking on Google but that frightened me. Hope your husband's assessment goes well, as you said communication can be dire. X