Module 4 Pull Down Navigation - Select a Page to View ------------------- Introduction Taking Charge of Heart Failure Following Your Treatment Plan Barriers to Following Your Treatment Plan Overcoming Barriers to Treatment Tips for Taking All of Your Medicines as Prescribed Tips for Exercising Regularly Tips for Following Your Diet Other Tips for Following Your Treatment Plan Managing Your Symptoms Urgent Symptoms: When to Call Your Doctor of Nurse Early Symptoms of Heart Failure Tracking Your Symptoms Monitor Your Weight and Body Swelling Daily Download a Weight Chart in PDF Format Treat Weight Gain and Swelling Right Away Prevent Fatigue From Interfering with Your Life Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Nurse Other Questions and Answers About Self-Care Learn More About Heart Failure

Managing Your Symptoms

It is important to tend to your symptoms as soon as they begin. Like many people, you may fail to notice symptoms in their early stages, or you may shrug them off. But, ignoring symptoms is risky. Symptoms such as trouble breathing, ankle swelling, bloating, or weight gain can mean that your heart failure is getting worse. Also, heart failure can get worse "silently". So if you notice any change in your symptoms (even if the changes are mild) take them seriously. These symptoms can lead quickly to urgent problems requiring a hospital stay.

Monitor your weight and body swelling daily. Keep track of all symptoms. If you do these things, you will be able to notice changes in symptoms early and manage them better. The following sections of this module will help you figure out which symptoms indicate an urgent situation requiring immediate action and which are more common. You will also learn what steps to take for different types of symptoms. As you become more confident in your ability to manage your heart failure symptoms, you may be able to avoid going to the hospital.