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Heart Failure
Heart failure often develops slowly over time. It is a condition in which the heart does not pump as strongly as it should.

There can be several causes of heart failure. Causes may include: infection, heart artery blockages, previous heart attack, heart valve disease, high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, alcohol or drug use.
Introduction to Heart Failure - Resources for patients and caregivers
Heart failure tests
There are many tests that may be used to help diagnose and monitor heart failure. What tests you need will be determined in discussion with your health-care provider and based on your specific health condition.
Common tests you may have:
Heart failure treatments & procedures
There are many treatments and procedures that may be used to treat and manage heart conditions. What treatments or procedures you need will be determined in discussion with your health care provider and based on your specific health condition. Some common treatments and procedures that you may have are listed below.
There are important things that you can do to help take care of yourself and manage heart failure. Things such as watching how much salt you eat or fluids your drink, weighing yourself and monitoring for any heart failure symptoms daily can help you to feel better and in control of your condition.
Resources:
- Patient Information Sheet: Living with Heart Failure
- Patient Information Sheet: Caring for yourself or someone with Heart Failure
- Patient Information Sheet: Heart Failure Zones (cardiacbc.ca)
- Patient Information Sheet: Limiting Fluids (cardiacbc.ca)
- Patient Information Sheet: Limiting Salt (cardiacbc.ca)
- Patient Information Sheet: Daily Weights (cardiacbc.ca)
- Patient Information Sheet: Importance of Staying Active
- Patient Information Sheet: Know your Potassium Foods
- Patient Information Sheet: Depression and HF
- Patient Information Sheet: Anxiety
- Patient Information Sheet: Stress
- Patient Information Sheet: HeartLife Foundation Patient Toolkit
Mindfulness + Pause Practice Videos Education Series playlist
From the Heart Pause Practice
Setting Intentions Pause Practice
Receiving Hope + Releasing Fear Mindfulness Practice
There are many medications that may be prescribed to help you manage heart failure. These medications may slow the progress of your heart failure, reduce your heart failure symptoms and improve the quality of your life.
Taking your medications is an important part of your heart failure care. Speak with your health-care provider or pharmacist before changing or stopping any medications.
- Medication Information Sheet: Aldosterone Blockers
- Medication Information Sheet: Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor
- Medication Information Sheet: Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker
- Medication Information Sheet: Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitor
- Medication Information Sheet: Beta Blocker
- Medication Information Sheet: Digoxin
- Medication Information Sheet: Diuretics
- Medication Information Sheet: Herbs and Supplements (Safety Advice)
- Medication Information Sheet: Hydralazine and Nitrate
- Medication Information Sheet: Ivabradine
- Medication Information Sheet: Sodium Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitors (SGLT2i)
- Medication Information Sheet: Understanding Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy for Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction
- Medication Information Sheet: Warfarin
A heart device is a small electronic device that may be used to help the heart pump, to check your heart rate or to treat serious heart rhythms that may make your feel unwell.
- Pacemaker
- Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
- Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT)
Heart failure clinics
There are many clinics that you might go to for assessment and monitoring of heart conditions. Discussion with your health care provider will help determine which clinics you may need based on your specific health condition.
Heart failure patient education videos
Managing Heart Failure: Heart Failure and Heart Function Clinics
Managing Heart Failure: Heart Failure Zones and the Role of a Medication Action Plan
Managing Heart Failure: The Role of Sodium and Fluid
Managing Heart Failure: Keeping Active
Managing Heart Failure: Medications
Managing Heart Failure: Mental Health and Well Being
Managing Heart Failure: Goals of Care – For Patients
Managing Heart Failure: Device Education - For Patients


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