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Living with Heart FailureLearn as much as you can to take control of your heart failure. With the right tools, you can take steps to live a fuller, happier life. The key is to follow a treatment plan that you develop with your doctor and other health care providers. Keep a journal of your symptoms and how you managed them, too.

Use this calendar to:• Keeptrackofyourdailyweight.• Scheduleandkeeptrackofappointmentsforhealthcarevisits,tests,and

exams.• Notewhenitistimetore-orderyourmedicationsandsuppliessoyoudon’t

run out.

Medicine Log. (Record in pencil to keep this list current.)

Medicine Name Dose Frequency Reason to Take

© 2008 American Institute for Preventive Medicine. All rights reserved.

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Telephone Numbers Emergency Contact Name: ___________________ Number: ______________

Health Care Team

Primary Care Physician: ___________________________________________

Cardiologist: ____________________________________________________

Pharmacist: _____________________________________________________

Care Specialist: __________________________________________________

Things I Need to Keep Track of:

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

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December 2008Sun. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat.Mon.

22 Chanukah25 Christmas Day26 Kwanzaa Begins

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Do you have a treatment plan?

19 Winter Begins

This is the last month of the year and the beginning of the rest of your life.Use this planner to help you and your physician reach goals for controlling heart failure: • Preventaflareupofsymptoms,suchasshortnessofbreathandlegswelling.• Helpstopyourheartfailurefromgettingworse.• Havefewornosideeffectsfrommedicationstomanageheartfailure.• Reducetheriskforaheartattackandfurtherdamagetoyourheart.• Followyourtreatmentplantohelpyouimproveyourqualityoflifeandtolivelonger.

Writeyourdailyweightinthesquaresgiven.Dothisforeverymonth.Do Not Reproduce

Weigh yourself every day to help you monitor your heart failure.• Weigh yourself in the morning after you get out of bed and right after you

urinate.• Wear the same amount of clothing every day when you weigh yourself.• Record your daily weight. Keep your weight record near the scale so you

can write your weight down as soon as you weigh yourself.• Call your physician if you gain 2 pounds or more in one day or more than

5 pounds in one week. This is an important part of your treatment plan.• Take this planner with your daily weights (or other daily weight record) to

every health care visit.

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Sun. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat.Mon. 1 New Year’s Day 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

January 2009 Are you weighing yourself daily?Do Not Reproduce

February 2009Sun. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat.Mon.

1 Groundhog Day 6 Wear Red Day14 Valentine’s Day

16 President’s Day25 Ash WednesdayAmerican Heart Month

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Have questions? Call your Care Specialist.

What is heart failure?Heart failure means that your heart is not working as well as it should as a pump.• One of the major ways to diagnose heart failure is an echocardiogram.* This

is an ultrasound of the heart. It measures how well your heart pumps blood. An ejection fraction of < 55% is part of the diagnosis of heart failure.

• Medication regime for diagnosed heart failure can be any of the following: - ACE inhibitors. - ARBS (Angiotensin II receptor blockers). - Beta blockers. - Blood thinners. - Digoxin. - Diuretics (water pills).* CheckyourplandocumentsorcallCustomerServiceforyourspecificplan’s

coverage.

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March 2009Sun. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat.Mon.

8 Daylight Saving Time Begins17 St. Patrick’s Day20 Spring Begins

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Call your Care Specialist for eating tips.

Eat healthy to help manage heart failure.• Follow the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Eating Plan

(or the diet your health care provider advises). Get information on DASH from www.nhlbi.nih.gov. The DASH plan calls for: - Eating 4-5 servings of fruits and 4-5 servings of vegetables a day. - Limitingmeat,fishandpoultryservings.Thinkofmeatasonepartof

your meal, not a main course.- Eating 2-3 daily servings of low-fat or nonfat dairy foods.

• Follow your physician’s advice about getting the right amount of potassium from foods and supplements.

• Speak to your physician about how much alcohol you can drink.

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Make a daily walk part of your routine.• Your level of exercise will depend on how severe your heart failure is and

how much you can tolerate.*• Ask about a safe level of aerobic exercise, such as walking. Aerobic exercise

improves heart function. • Modify your daily activities, as needed, so you don’t place too heavy a

demand on your heart. Alternate activities with periods of rest.• Use your calendar to plan your exercises like you plan other weekly

activities. Exercise with a friend or co-worker.• Do exercises and daily activities you enjoy and look forward to doing.* Always talk to your physician before starting an exercise plan.

April 2009Sun. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat.Mon.

1 April Fool’s Day 9 Passover10 Good Friday

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5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 12 Easter22 Earth Day

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May 2009Sun. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat.Mon.

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25 Memorial DayHigh Blood Pressure Awareness Month

5 Cinco de Mayo10 Mother’s Day16 Armed Forces Day

Is it hard to sleep? Call your Care Specialist.

Get your ZZZs.With heart failure, getting restful sleep can be a challenge.• Tell your physician how much sleep you get during the night and problems

you have falling asleep and staying asleep. Let him or her know if you have to sleep on 2 or more pillows to make it easier to breathe while you sleep.

• Limit caffeine.• Ask about testing for obstructive sleep apnea.* With this, breathing stops for

10 or more seconds at a time during sleep. This deprives the heart of oxygen and increases its workload. Treatment for this may improve heart failure.

* CheckyourplandocumentsorcallCustomerServiceforyourspecificplan’scoverage.

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June 2009Sun. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat.Mon.

8-14 Men’s Health Week14 Flag Day21 Father’s Day; Summer Begins

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Any questions? Call your Care Specialist.

Don’t take a vacation from your medications.• If you don’t take your medications as prescribed, talk to your physician.

- Do you just forget? Do side effects bother you? Is cost a factor?- Is it hard to swallow pills? Do you omit your water pill because you don’t

want to use public restrooms?• Store medications in the same place, but out of children’s reach. • Take medications at the same time every day, such as with breakfast. • Use pill containers, a daily checklist, or this planner to remind you. • Keep medications in your pocket, purse, and at work, in case you forget to

take them at home.• Carry a list of your medications all the time.

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July 2009Sun. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat.Mon.

1 Canada Day 4 Independence Day26 Parents Day

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Are you watching your salt intake?

Limit sodium (part of salt) to no more than 2,000 mg a day or as prescribed by your physician. Ask him or her if you can use salt substitutes.• Take the salt shaker off the table.• Use herbs and spices that do not have salt or sodium. Choose fresh foods

over foods processed with salt. • Read food labels for sodium content. Avoid these foods that typically contain

a high sodium content: Regular canned soups, dehydrated mixes, packaged dinners, soy sauces, and pickles.

• Choose low and reduced sodium products.• When you eat out, ask that items be prepared without salt. • Get recipes and more tips to lower salt and sodium from www.nhlbi.nih.gov

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22 Ramadan Begins

August 2009

Do you know when you need to call your physician?

Make it a goal to stay out of the hospital.Follow your physician’s plan. Here are some examples of when to contact your physician:• You gain more than 2 pounds in a day or 5 pounds in one week.• Your shortness of breath worsens. • You do not lose weight, even though you take more water pills. • You notice leg or ankle swelling. • You cough or wheeze in the night or need to sleep propped up or sitting up. • You have chest pain or a heavy feeling in your chest. • You have bothersome side effects from one or more of your medications.

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Sun. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat.Mon. 1 2 3 4 5

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September 2009 1 Labor Day21 Ramadan Ends21 Autumn Begins

28 Yom Kippur

Have you had your flu shot?

Know your cholesterol numbers!• Getafastingbloodtest(lipidprofile)asoftenasyourphysicianadvises.

(See the “Target Blood Fats (Lipids)” chart at the end of this calendar.)• Lowering LDL-cholesterol reduces the risk of a heart attack and can help you

live longer! Take medicines, as prescribed. Be as active as you can.• Strictly limit saturated fats. Eliminate trans fats. These may be labeled as

hydrogenated fats or oils in some cookies, chips, etc.• Eat2-3servingsoffishaweek.Limitservingsizesofmeat.• Have nonfat and low-fat dairy foods. Read food labels to guide your choices.• Eat20-35gramsofdietaryfiberaday,especiallythekindinoatmeal,oat

bran, kidney and other beans, lentils, apples, oranges, and carrots.

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Sun. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat.Mon. 1 2 3

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12 Columbus Day31 Halloween

National Breast Cancer Awareness MonthHealthy Lung Month

October 2009 Always carry a list of all your medications.

Talk to your physician about all the medications you take.• Keep a list of prescribed and over-the-counter medications you take. List

vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other supplements, too. Show this list to every health care provider who prescribes medication for you.

• Know medication names, dosages, and what they are for. • Talk to your physician and pharmacist before you take over-the-counter

medicines and dietary supplements.• Follow your prescription plan’s procedure for ordering medications and

supplies. Allow enough time so you do not run out.• Let your physician know if a medication you take makes you feel worse or if

you need help managing your medications.

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Sun. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat.Mon.

1 Daylight Saving Time Ends 3 Election Day26 Thanksgiving Day

20 Great American Smokeout

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November 2009 Schedule health screenings you still need.

Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit. • Quitting isn’t easy, but millions of people have done it. YOU CAN, TOO!• Make the commitment now, no matter how many times you may have done

so in the past.• Talk to your physician about prescribed and over-the-counter medications

that can help you quit.• Take part in a stop smoking program. • Get help to quit from the National Network of Tobacco Quitlines at www.smokefree.gov and 1.800.QUIT.NOW (784.8669).• Avoid secondhand smoke. Do not allow smoking in your house.• Talk to ex-smokers for support.

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December 2009

25 Christmas Day26 Kwanzaa Begins31 New Year’s Eve

12 Chanukah19 Winter Begins

Call your Care Specialist for healthy tips.

Plan your health needs for the hectic holidays.• Schedule health screenings that you will need next year. If you do not feel

well, contact your health care provider. Don’t put it off until next year.• Manage stress. Do relaxation exercises.• Be sensible and selective with what you eat. Focus on these “L” words:

- Lean. - Less. - Little piece. - Limit. - Low-fat.• Travel light. Use a small suitcase on wheels. Make sure you have enough

medications and carry them with you.• Travel and shop at less busy times of the day. • Pace yourself. Make plans for what you know you can handle.

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Charts for Target Health GoalsTarget Blood Pressure Goals* Systolic Diastolic Pressure (top number) (bottom number)

For adults, in general < 120 mm Hg < 80 mm Hg

For persons with: < 130 mm Hg < 80 mm Hg • Diabetes• Kidney disease• Heart failure

{Note: Ask your physician what your target blood pressure goal is: __________ mm Hg.

* Sources: 1 Heart Failure Society of American 2006 Practice Guidelines.2 Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on the Prevention, Detection,

Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7).

Target Blood Fats (Lipids)*

Total cholesterol < 200 mg/dL

LDL (bad) cholesterol < 100 mg/dL(Helps deposit cholesterol in artery walls)

HDL (good) cholesterol > 40 mg/dL for men(Helps remove cholesterol from the blood) > 50 mg/dL for women

Triglycerides < 150 mg/dL

{Note: Ask your physician what your target levels are.} Target levels are based on all of your heart disease risk factors.

* Source: Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III).

Target Blood Pressure Goals* Systolic Diastolic Pressure (top number) (bottom number)

For adults, in general < 120 mm Hg < 80 mm Hg

For persons with: < 130 mm Hg < 80 mm Hg • Diabetes• Kidney disease• Heart failure

{Note: Ask your physician what your target blood pressure goal is: __________ mm Hg.

* Sources: 1 Heart Failure Society of American 2006 Practice Guidelines.2 Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on the Prevention, Detection,

Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7).

Target Blood Fats (Lipids)*

Total cholesterol < 200 mg/dL

LDL (bad) cholesterol < 100 mg/dL(Helps deposit cholesterol in artery walls)

HDL (good) cholesterol > 40 mg/dL for men(Helps remove cholesterol from the blood) > 50 mg/dL for women

Triglycerides < 150 mg/dL

{Note: Ask your physician what your target levels are.} Target levels are based on all of your heart disease risk factors.

* Source: Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III).

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Health Tests & ExamsThese are general guidelines for adults.* Follow your physician's advice for tests and exams. For your child, follow his/her physician’s advice for tests and exams.

Exam or Test How Often**

Checkup Depends on your heart condition, how severe it is and how well it is controlled. Follow your physician’s advice.

Pneumonia vaccine Discuss with your physician.

Flu vaccine Every year during flu season.

Blood pressure and weight Every office visit. Test at home as advised.

Cholesterol blood test (fasting lipids) One to 2 times a year as advised.

Dental exam 1-2 times a year.

Eye exam Every 5 years (ages 18-29); every 2-4 years (ages 30-64); every year (age 65+).

Breast exam by physician or nurse Every 3 years (ages 18-40); yearly (age 40 +).

Pap test Every 1-3 years to age 65; as advised age 65+.

Chlamydia screening Discuss with your physician.

Mammogram Every 1-2 years age 40+ as advised.

Osteoporosis screening Starting at age 65 (60 if at increased risk for fractures) as often as advised.

Colorectal cancer screening Starting at age 50 or as advised.

Prostate cancer screening As advised by your physician.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening Once for men age 65-75 who have ever smoked.

* Sources: 1 The Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, 2008, Recommendation of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

2 ACC/AHA 2005 Guidelines Update for the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Heart Failure in the Adult; American Heart Association

** Check your plan documents or call Customer Service for your specific plan’s coverage.

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Helpful Web SitesAmerican Dietetic Association | www.eatright.org

American Heart Association | www.americanheart.org

MyPyramid.Gov | www.mypyramid.gov

National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence | www.ncadd.org

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute | www.nhlbi.nih.gov

National Institutes of Health | www.nih.gov

National Safety Council | www.nsc.org

Smokefree.gov | www.smokefree.gov

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Living with Heart FailureLearn as much as you can to take control of your heart failure. With the right tools, you can take steps to live a fuller, happier life. The key is to follow a treatment plan that you develop with your doctor and other health care providers. Keep a journal of your symptoms and how you managed them, too.

Use this calendar to:• Keeptrackofyourdailyweight.• Scheduleandkeeptrackofappointmentsforhealthcarevisits,tests,and

exams.• Notewhenitistimetore-orderyourmedicationsandsuppliessoyoudon’t

run out.

Medicine Log. (Record in pencil to keep this list current.)

Medicine Name Dose Frequency Reason to Take

© 2008 American Institute for Preventive Medicine. All rights reserved.

Do Not Reproduce