Fang Yutao: Is Heart Failure More Terrifying Than Cancer? Chronic heart failure patients must remember these 7 points to "prevent trouble before it happens"

Heart failure occurs when primary cardiac damage leads to reduced cardiac output, failing to meet tissue metabolic demands. Its main characteristics include pulmonary and systemic circulation congestion, inadequate tissue blood perfusion, etc. Patients often experience fluid retention, dyspnea, and generalized weakness. To date, no method can completely cure heart failure, so patients must implement comprehensive care to reduce disease exacerbations.

What are the key points that heart failure patients need to remember?

1. Adhere to Exercise

Choosing appropriate exercise training can improve patients' quality of life and prognosis. It is necessary to develop an exercise rehabilitation plan based on the patient's cardiac function classification, and to properly manage the type and intensity of exercise. Generally, cycling, practicing Tai Chi, walking, and jogging are good options. Patients can choose suitable exercise activities according to their personal interests. Exercise should be performed to the extent that it does not cause palpitations, chest tightness, or shortness of breath.

2. Maintain proper weight control

Fluid retention can worsen chronic heart failure. Weight gain reflects the severity of fluid retention, so patients undergoing treatment must closely monitor their weight. Each morning after waking and emptying bladder/bowels, measure your weight. If you gain 2–3 kg within one week—regardless of symptom presence—seek immediate medical attention.

3. Proper medication use

Patients must take oral medications on time and in proper doses, as this forms the foundation for maintaining disease stability while also reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Most patients require long-term treatment with beta blockers and ACE inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors). Any changes in the condition should prompt immediate medical consultation - patients should never reduce or discontinue medications without professional guidance.

4. Balanced diet

Based on the patient's constitution and severity of the condition, develop an appropriate dietary plan including food quantity, water intake, and dietary structure to follow. Most patients with chronic heart failure need to limit salt intake without completely eliminating salt, adjusting salt restrictions according to individual circumstances.

5. Self-monitoring of condition

If patients experience worsening general weakness, a resting heart rate increase of more than 15-20 beats per minute, aggravated shortness of breath after activity, increased body edema and weight gain, as well as reduced exercise tolerance, these may indicate worsening condition requiring immediate medical attention.

6. Stay away from aggravating factors

Multiple factors can exacerbate the condition of chronic heart failure patients, including strenuous physical labor, excessive fatigue, emotional agitation, extreme mental stress, heavily seasoned diets, colds, and infections. Additionally, unauthorized discontinuation of medications, self-reducing dosages, or self-increasing medication doses can also worsen chronic heart failure and should be avoided whenever possible.

7. Master emergency treatment measures

When a patient experiences severe chest tightness, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, wheezing, frothy sputum, and cyanosis (bluish discoloration of skin), it may indicate the onset of acute heart failure. Do not delay - immediately rest and call emergency services (120). If patients show no significant clinical symptom changes but develop bilateral lower extremity edema, they may appropriately increase oral diuretic dosage. However, if symptoms don't improve within 3-5 days, prompt medical attention is required.

Warm Reminder

Patients with chronic heart failure must strictly follow their doctor's medication instructions and undergo regular follow-up visits at the hospital, typically every 3-6 months. Seek immediate medical attention if there are any changes in their condition. Additionally, patients should actively prevent infections, avoid excessive physical fatigue, and balance work with rest while maintaining regular bowel movements. Refrain from visiting crowded public places whenever possible, and wear a mask when going out. Adopt a diet that is low in sodium, low in calories, bland, and easy to digest, following the principle of eating smaller, more frequent meals while avoiding overeating, as this could worsen heart failure.