Heart Failure
Health Management Summer 2011
Smart Summer Drinking
for Those with Heart Failure
S ummer is a time of warm weather
and climbing temps. This makes it
easier to become dehydrated. A com-
failure patients to stick to eight cups,
or 64 ounces, of fluid a day.
If your doctor recommends that you
the limit. This helps you know when to
stop drinking for that day.
• Keep in mind that some fruits and veg-
bination of high temperatures, humidity restrict your fluid intake, there are simple etables have high water content. Include
and physical activity cause people to ways to dodge summer thirst without these foods when keeping track of your
perspire more. These fluids need to be exceeding your drink limit: fluid intake. For example, eating one
replaced throughout the day to keep • Space your fluid intake throughout the medium orange or a ½ cup of watermelon
your body in balance. day. When you drink, take small sips. is the same as drinking ½ cup of liquid.
However, too much fluid in the body • Mark the amount of liquid you are limited • Find alternate ways to relieve thirst. Try
can be trouble for those with heart fail- to each day on an empty container. As chewing gum, sucking on sugar-free hard
ure. It can make it harder for your heart you drink fluids, put an equal amount of candy, rinsing your mouth with water or
to pump. Many doctors advise heart water into the container until you reach sucking on ice chips (not cubes). Also, you
can nibble on frozen grapes, blueberries
or strawberries. Avoid milk or ice cream
products, because they increase thirst.
Everyone, not just those watching their
fluid intake, can stay hydrated this summer
with these two tips:
• Limit sodium. In addition to increas-
ing thirst, sodium causes your body to
retain fluid, which can cause swelling and
weight gain.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Alcohol
can decrease the heart’s ability to con-
tract properly, and caffeine can put addi-
tional stress on the heart. l
For more smart tips of how to regulate
your fluid intake, ask your doctor or contact
the Health Coach. AllOne members can call
1-866-430-2551; RelianceOne members can
call 1-877-969-7751.
Become informed! Find secure, personalized information about managing your heart health on our website.
AllOne members: www.myallonehealth.com, RelianceOne members: www.myrelianceone.com.
Stay Fit to Stave Off
Symptoms
F or years, scientists weren’t certain
if physical activity and heart failure
were a good mix. But now, there is much
• Choose an appropriate activity. Two
wise choices are riding a stationary bike
and walking. Swimming, on the other
more evidence that exercise is not only hand, may be too demanding if you have
safe, but also beneficial in many ways. heart failure.
Physical activity can: • Ask your doctor about strength training.
• Reduce shortness of breath Light free weights or elastic bands can
• Make muscles stronger help boost your muscle strength.
• Improve blood flow • Keep at it. You need to maintain the
• Decrease weakness and fatigue exercise habit to reap the benefits.
• Boost overall quality of life If you get very tired after exercising,
If you have heart failure and you want rest the next day. But stop exercising
Implanted Device Options to be more active, here are some strate- and call your doctor if you experience
gies that will help you do so safely: chest pain, become dizzy, or feel short
for Heart Failure
• Ask your doctor before beginning an of breath. l
exercise program. For some people
Heart failure damages the heart muscle, with heart failure, it still may not be
which can hurt the heart’s ability to main- wise to exercise.
tain a steady heartbeat. But surgically • Plan to get at least two and a half
implanted devices can be used to help hours of moderate exercise a week. You can use the Calories Burned
regulate the heartbeat. You can achieve this by aiming for at Calculator on our website to help
• Cardiac resynchronization therapy least 30 minutes of physical activity on you keep your exercise habits on
(CRT), also called biventricular pacing, most days of the week. And it’s OK track. AllOne members: www.
uses an implanted pacemaker. The to break up exercise into 10-minute myallonehealth.com, RelianceOne
pacemaker stimulates both the right and sessions a few times a day. members: www.myrelianceone.com.
left sides of the heart. This therapy can
improve the heart’s pumping ability in
certain types of patients. It also can pro-
long long-term survival in some patients
with uncoordinated heartbeats.
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillator
(ICD) is a small device that continuously
monitors the heart rate. It uses electrical
pulses to control the rapid and erratic
heartbeats that heart failure can cause.
ICDs can help heart failure patients
live longer.
• Left ventricular assist device (LVAD)
is an implanted, mechanical pump. It
helps pump enough blood to the body
when the heart isn’t able to do so effec-
tively on its own. An LVAD often is used
for severe heart failure patients who are
waiting for a heart transplant or not able to
receive one. It helps relieve some symp-
toms of severe heart failure like extreme
fatigue and breathlessness.
2 • Summer 2011
Healthy Habits Can Help You Avoid the ER
how your health is doing. For instance,
if you are having trouble losing weight
or quitting smoking, say so. Your health
care team can help you make a behavior-
change plan that will help you succeed.
4. Take your medicines exactly as your
doctor has told you to. Never make a
change on your own.
5. Know your limits and respect them.
Ask your doctor which activities are safe
for you.
6. Get support. Ask your doctor how to
meet others with heart failure through
support programs.
To help lower your chances of going to
the hospital or emergency room, it’s impor-
tant to contact your doctor right away if
you notice any of the following symptoms:
• Sudden weight gain (2 or more pounds in
one day, or 5 or more pounds in one week)
W hen you have heart failure, current
medicines and healthy practices
may help improve your symptoms and
2. Be the champion of your health
care. Get your treatment plan in writing.
Know details such as the names of your
• Shortness of breath when you are at rest
• Frequent dry cough
• Increasing fatigue
prolong your life. Here are six important medicines, what they do and their doses. • Swelling or pain in your stomach
parts of managing heart failure: Keep a list of symptoms that should trig- • Increasing swelling in your legs or ankles l
1. Get a handle on lifestyle changes. ger a call to the doctor.
Ask your health care team to help you set 3. Communicate with your health
priorities and break big goals into smaller care team. Tell your doctor about any
action steps. change in symptoms. Be open about A heart failure action plan can
help you know how to spot a
flare-up and when to get help.
Talk with your doctor if you
don’t already have one.
Mexicali Corn Salad
3½ cup fresh corn kernels (or 16 oz. frozen)
1 15-oz. can kidney beans,
Nutrition Information
drained and rinsed
Serves 8.
2 ripe tomatoes, diced
Each serving contains:
1 red pepper, diced
Calories: 153,
1 yellow pepper, diced
Fat: 1.4 g,
½ cup celery, diced
Cholesterol: 0 mg,
1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Sodium: 221 mg,
1 tbsp. olive oil
Carbohydrates: 5 g
¼ cup fresh tomato salsa
½ tsp. chili powder
Combine all ingredients in a large salad bowl. Chill before serving.
Health Management: Heart Failure • 3
To speak with the Health Coach,
call weekdays between 8 a.m.
PRSRT STD
and 8 p.m. EST. U.S. Postage
PAID
AllOne members: AllOne Health
1-866-430-2551 or
(TTY) 1-877-720-7771
RelianceOne members:
1-877-969-7751 or
(TTY) 1-888-245-3031
Vicki Shaffer, RN
Ext. 2003
This material is not intended as medical advice.
Look in this newsletter
Talk to your doctor about this and any other
health information. Please be sure to check your
health care plan contract or employer group
to find health information especially for you!
benefit summary to determine what health care
expenses are covered.
Printed on recyclable paper. 542M-L
Soothe Stress for a Good Night’s Rest
Life’s problems seem more manageable after a good night’s sleep. But if you’re stressed or
anxious, restful slumber is hard to come by. It’s a vicious cycle that can lead to injuries and
trouble at work or school, as well as increasing risk for certain illnesses such as heart disease
and diabetes.
Try these tips to manage your emotions and rest easier.
• Focus on fitness. Exercise relieves tension and releases mood-improving hormones.
• Calm with chamomile. This plant extract, available in tea and oils, has long been
used for relaxation. Recent studies support its effects against anxiety.
• Wrangle your worries. Set aside 30 minutes to list your concerns and what you
can do about them. Then let go and move on with your life.
• Relax in your room. In one study, time in a comfortable space with a favorite
CD was as soothing as receiving a massage.
If your anxiety or sleep problems are severe, talk with your doctor.
Medication and therapy can help. l
For more sleep tips, call the Health Coach.