Stable heart failure: what to know

Heart failure means the heart is not pumping or filling as effectively as the body needs. In a stable phase, your usual symptoms and activity tolerance have not recently worsened. You may still have fatigue, cough, palpitations or swollen ankles, and these symptoms can have other causes too. Treatment is individualised and may include medicines, management of blood pressure and rhythm problems, and advice about activity, fluids and salt.

Take medicines consistently and do not stop them suddenly without medical advice. Notice changes in breathlessness, energy, ankle swelling, sleep position or weight if your care team has asked you to monitor it. Balance gentle activity with rest, keep appointments, and bring a complete medicine list to each review. Report troublesome side effects early so the plan can be adjusted safely.

Contact your care team promptly if breathlessness, swelling, tiredness or coughing is clearly worse than usual, or if you cannot manage normal activities. Seek emergency help for severe breathing difficulty, fainting, new confusion, blue lips, or chest pain that does not settle. Sudden racing or irregular heartbeats with dizziness also need urgent assessment.

Ask how to take each medicine, which changes should be reported, what exercise is suitable, and whether Atrial Fibrillation or Hypertension affects your care. Ask when to book your next Chronic Disease Review.