By Camille Noe Pag\u00e1n<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s true that advanced heart failure can’t be cured — but it can be treated.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThere is so much you and your medical team can do to help you to have a longer, better life,\u201d says Michael A. Mathier, MD, a cardiologist and the director of <\/span>heart failure at the University of Pittsburgh.<\/span><\/p>\n Play an active part in your treatment, because that can improve your symptoms. It can also help you feel more in control of your disease, which is caused by damage to the heart and develops over time.<\/span><\/p>\n Talk to Your Medical Team — a Lot<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Your first step is making sure you understand what your exact heart condition is and how it affects\u00a0you\u00a0<\/i>as an individual,<\/i>\u201d <\/span>Mathier says.<\/span><\/p>\n It can be complicated, but your heart specialist should be able to explain it to you. He may also pair you with a nurse, nurse practitioner, dietitian, or palliative care specialist who can talk to you about your disease and how to best manage it.<\/span><\/p>\n You can always see another doctor if you feel rushed or aren\u2019t getting the information you need.<\/span><\/p>\n And if your symptoms change, you feel something\u2019s not quite right, or you have questions, don\u2019t wait until your next appointment to talk to your doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no detail that\u2019s too small to mention,\u201d says Ayesha Hasan, MD, a cardiologist and medical director of the cardiac transplant program at The Ohio State University. \u201cStress tests and other exams can tell your doctor how your heart is doing. But how you feel about day-to-day activities is key, too.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIf you can\u2019t shower or get dressed or take a short walk without getting winded, your doctor should know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Make Lifestyle Changes<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Some tweaks to your day-to-day routine can make a big difference. These are good places to start:<\/span><\/p>\n Get a handle on sodium.<\/b>\u00a0This is a biggie. You should have no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day.<\/span><\/p>\n Read labels on food, since that’s as crucial as putting down the <\/span>saltshaker.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSeventy percent of most people\u2019s sodium comes from pre-packaged food,\u201d Hasan says.<\/span><\/p>\n Ask a dietitian for help if you\u2019re not sure how to cut down how much salt you have.<\/span><\/p>\n Eat more whole foods.<\/b>\u00a0Frozen or fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains that aren\u2019t processed much (like oatmeal and brown rice), and lean, unprocessed protein like chicken breasts are all good choices. They\u2019re nutritious and can help you reach and stay at a healthy weight.<\/span><\/p>\n Plus, they have little to no sodium.<\/span><\/p>\n Stay active.\u00a0<\/b>Having heart failure doesn\u2019t mean that you should sit and do nothing. Just the opposite.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYour heart is a muscle, and using it during physical activity keeps it strong, even if you have heart failure,\u201d Hasan says. Even several 5- to 10-minute walks throughout the day or pastimes like gardening can help your ticker and give you more energy.<\/span><\/p>\n Take care of yourself.<\/b>\u00a0That means:<\/span><\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Get plenty of good sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Keep stress at bay.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Watch how much liquid you drink each day.<\/span><\/p>\n Mind Your Medications<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s crucial for you to take all the medicine your doctor prescribed, even when you feel good. Meds for heart failure can help you live longer, and they may even save your life.<\/span><\/p>\n Talk to your doctor if you have questions about any of the medicine you\u2019ve been prescribed.<\/span><\/p>\n Research shows that some over-the-counter supplements, like CoQ10 and D-Ribose, may also improve your symptoms. But it’s important to let your doctor know if you take these or think you might want to try them.<\/span><\/p>\n Next Steps<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Advanced heart failure is a condition you\u2019ll live with the rest of your life.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why many doctors, myself included, talk to patients about devices like defibrillators and even transplant surgery during the first appointment,\u201d <\/span>Mathier says. \u201cIt\u2019s good to know what all your options are and at what point you might consider them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Some choices your doctor might tell you about include:<\/span><\/p>\n A pacemaker:<\/b>\u00a0This device is implanted in your chest to treat an abnormal heart rhythm. It uses electrical pulses to help your heart beat more regularly.<\/span><\/p>\n An implantable defibrillator:<\/b>\u00a0These devices are surgically placed in your chest. They deliver an electric \u201cshock\u201d to your heart if you have a life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm.<\/span><\/p>\n A left ventricular assist device (LVAD):\u00a0<\/b>This implanted mechanical pump helps your heart send blood <\/span>through your body better.<\/span><\/p>\n A heart transplant.<\/b>\u00a0This is when your heart is replaced with a healthy one. Transplants are usually only done for severe, progressive heart failure.<\/span><\/p>\n If you’re considering any of these options, you may want to talk to a patient who\u2019s had the same treatment. You can find one through your doctor or through a support group for people with advanced heart disease.<\/span><\/p>\n WebMD Feature<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Reviewed by\u00a0James Beckerman, MD, FACC<\/a>\u00a0on September 05, 2017<\/span><\/p>\n