February is usually associated with Valentine’s Day and a plethora of hearts and a sea of red can be found abound. What people may not know is that February is also American Heart Month. Under the auspices of National Heart Failure Awareness Week observed February 8-14, the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses (AAHFN) is encouraging everyone to learn the signs and symptoms of heart failure and offers tips on maintaining a healthy heart.

Heart failure is a progressive condition in which the heart muscle weakens or stiffens and gradually loses its ability to pump enough blood to supply the body’s needs. Because of this, you may feel tired or weak. This problem can also cause fluid buildup in your organs and tissues, leading to swelling in your legs and feet, or congestion in your lungs, leading to increased breathing difficulties. Heart failure is frighteningly common, but under recognized. It affects more than five million people in the U.S., and it’s the most common cause of hospitalization in people older than 65 years of age.

Signs and symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath or fatigue when doing daily activities; weakness in legs with activity and exercise; a persistent cough; swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, or fingers; and a fluttering or racing heart, light-headedness, or chest pain.

Although there is no cure for heart failure, it can be treated and managed. The following practices can help you stay healthy and out of the hospital:
-Take your medications
-Eat a low-salt, heart-healthy diet
-Exercise regularly
-Quit smoking
-Limit or avoid alcohol
-Weigh yourself daily
-Keep track of your weight and symptoms
-Manage stress

Take a moment to learn more about heart failure and know your risk. Visit aahfn.org/patients_resources to download a heart failure handbook and symptom tracker.

The American Association of Heart Failure Nurses (AAHFN) is a specialty organization dedicated to advancing nursing education, clinical practice and research to improve heart failure patient outcomes. The organization’s goal is to set the standards for heart failure nursing care.

Source: American Association of Heart Failure Nurses