Abbott heart failure: a patient guide

It does not mean the heart has stopped. Diagnosis combines the symptom pattern and examination with tests such as an electrocardiogram, blood tests and heart imaging. The care plan depends on the type of heart failure and its cause.

Reduced forward blood flow and fluid congestion can cause breathlessness, fatigue, cough or swollen ankles. Heart failure commonly presents with breathlessness or swelling, yet each of these symptoms also has other possible causes and requires clinical assessment.

High blood pressure, previous heart muscle injury, valve disease and rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation can contribute. Identifying the driver matters because treatment may address both the pumping problem and the underlying condition.

Take each medicine at the prescribed time and do not stop a heart or water tablet abruptly without clinical advice. Keep follow-up appointments for kidney function, electrolytes, blood pressure and symptom review. Before taking anti-inflammatory painkillers, supplements or cold remedies, check whether they interact with the plan.

Track morning weight under similar conditions and note changes in breathing, sleep position, ankle swelling and activity tolerance. Follow your personalised guidance on salt, fluids and exercise; these instructions vary with congestion, kidney function and other illnesses.

Call emergency services for severe breathlessness at rest, chest pressure, fainting, blue or grey lips, new confusion, or a very fast or irregular heartbeat accompanied by weakness or breathing difficulty.

Contact the heart failure or primary care team promptly for rapidly worsening swelling, a clear upward weight trend, needing more pillows to breathe, waking breathless, reduced urination or a sudden fall in usual activity. Early adjustment may prevent further fluid build-up.

Ask which type of heart failure you have, the likely cause, the purpose of every medicine and your personal action threshold for weight or symptoms. Confirm whom to contact after hours and whether rehabilitation is suitable.