• Damage to the kidneys, liver, or lungs.

• Malnutrition.

• Abnormal heart rhythms.

• Blood clotting issues that could cause a stroke.

Medicines

Eating and drinking

• Eating heart-healthy foods. Talk with a dietitian to make an eating plan that is right for you.

  • Limit salt (sodium) if told by your healthcare provider. Sodium restriction may reduce symptoms of heart failure. Ask a dietitian to recommend heart-healthy seasonings.

  • Use healthy cooking methods instead of frying. Healthy methods include roasting, grilling, broiling, baking, poaching, steaming and stir-frying.

  • Choose foods that contain no trans fat and are low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Healthy choices include fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, fish, lean meats, legumes, fat-free or low-fat dairy products and wholegrain or high-fibre foods.

• Limit your fluid intake, if directed by your healthcare provider. Fluid restriction may reduce symptoms of heart failure.

Alcohol use

• Do not drink alcohol if:

  • Your healthcare provider tells you not to drink.

  • Your heart was damaged by alcohol, or you have severe heart failure.

  • You are pregnant, may be pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant.

• If you drink alcohol:

  • Limit how much you have to:

    • 0–1 drink a day for women.

    • 0–2 drinks a day for men.

  • Know how much alcohol is in your drink.

Lifestyle

• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco. These products include cigarettes, chewing tobacco and vaping devices, such as e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your healthcare provider.

  • Do not use nicotine gum or patches before talking to your healthcare provider.

• Do not use illegal drugs.

• Work with your healthcare provider to safely reach the right body weight.

• Do physical activity if told by your healthcare provider. Talk to your healthcare provider before you begin an exercise if:

  • You are an older adult.

  • You have severe heart failure.

• Learn to manage stress. If you need help to do this, ask your healthcare provider.

• Participate in or seek physical rehabilitation as needed to keep or improve your independence and quality of life.

• Participate in a cardiac rehabilitation programme, which is a treatment programme to improve your health and well-being through exercise training, education and counselling.

• Plan rest periods when you get tired.

Monitoring important information

• Weigh yourself every day. This will help you to notice if too much fluid is building up in your body.

  • Weigh yourself every morning after you pass urine and before you eat breakfast.

  • Wear the same amount of clothing each time you weigh yourself.

  • Record your daily weight. Provide your healthcare provider with your weight record.

• Monitor and record your pulse and blood pressure as instructed by your healthcare provider.

Dealing with extreme temperatures

• If the weather is extremely hot:

  • Avoid vigorous physical activity.

  • Use air conditioning or fans, or find a cooler location.

  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

  • Wear loose-fitting, lightweight and light-coloured clothing.

• If the weather is extremely cold:

  • Avoid vigorous activity.

  • Layer your clothes.

  • Wear mittens or gloves, a hat and a face covering when you go outside.

  • Avoid alcohol.