All people with heart failure should think about their lifestyle and make changes if necessary to help reduce their symptoms and ensure their medications work properly.

These lifestyle issues, and why they are important, are listed in the tables below.

- Weight-	Why is it important?
Avoid being overweight (body mass index over 25 kg/m2)*	Being overweight puts extra strain on the heart and increases the risk of other medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure
Weigh yourself every morning	Weight gain for several days in a row can be the first sign of fluid retention, and your physician may need to adjust your medication

*Body mass index is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters; click here for an online BMI calculator

- Diet -	Why is it important?
Restrict your salt (sodium chloride) intake	Salt plays a part in fluid retention, which makes the heart have to work harder. This makes symptoms worse, and too much salt can also cause an imbalance in other minerals in the body
Restrict your fluid intake	If you drink too much, fluid can accumulate in the body, which can make symptoms worse
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption	Too much alcohol raises the blood pressure, and may damage the heart muscle

- Exercise -	Why is it important?
Engage in daily exercise (consult a physician before starting an exercise program)	Unless you have advanced heart failure, regular exercise helps to keep muscles strong, improve general health, and may prolong survival

- Smoking -	Why is it important?
If you smoke, stop	Smoking damages the heart muscle and increases the risk of other medical conditions

Additional information