What Can I Do to Prevent Congestive Heart Failure?

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic cardiovascular disease in which the heart isn’t able to pump blood as effectively and efficiently as it should to help you stay healthy. While you can manage CHF with lifestyle modifications and medical care, you want to do all you can to prevent it in the first place.

At Florida Heart, Vein, and Vascular Institute, our team provides comprehensive, state-of-the-art, patient-centered care for congestive heart failure, along with strategies to help patients prevent CHF. 

In this post, learn some simple steps you can take to avoid congestive heart failure and improve your cardiovascular health and overall wellness.

Be mindful of your blood pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a leading risk factor for many types of heart disease, including CHF. Blood pressure can change a lot as you age, so it’s important to monitor it regularly. 

If you have hypertension or you’re at risk of developing it, the other items on this list can help lower blood pressure and keep it in a healthy range.

Eat a heart-healthy diet

What you eat influences cardiovascular health. Focus on a low-cholesterol diet featuring low-fat or vegetable-based proteins, leafy greens, fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy, and healthy fats, like olive oil and avocado oil. 

Fatty fish, like sardines and salmon, are good sources of healthy fats, too. The DASH diet was designed specifically for people with hypertension risks, and it supports better heart health, too.

Exercise regularly

Regular exercise strengthens your heart so it’s able to work more efficiently. It also helps you manage your blood pressure and your weight, factors that contribute to a healthy heart. 

The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity (like brisk walking) at least five days a week. Swimming, riding your bike, and even dancing are good options, too.

Lose those extra pounds

Obesity is a risk factor for heart failure and other types of heart disease, as well as chronic conditions that increase your risk of CHF. 

Other items on this list, like adopting a healthy eating plan and getting regular exercise, help keep weight in check. You don’t have to lose a lot of weight to see benefits, either. Even a modest loss can provide major benefits for your heart.

Control your blood sugar

If you have diabetes or prediabetes, managing glucose levels is especially important for preventing CHF. 

When designing your healthy eating plan, make a point to limit sugars and refined carbs to avoid unhealthy fluctuations in blood sugar levels. have your glucose levels measured on a regular basis to prevent diabetes complications, including CHF.

Quit smoking

Smoking is definitely bad for your heart and a major contributor to cardiovascular disease in general. Chemicals in tobacco products damage blood vessels and impair your heart’s ability to circulate blood effectively. 

Quitting isn’t easy, but our team can help. You can find plenty of online resources, too, like the tips found at SmokeFree.gov. 

Schedule a heart checkup

Of course, one of the best ways to avoid CHF is to keep a close eye on your heart health. Having a cardiovascular checkup provides you (and our team) with detailed information about your heart that can identify risk factors for CHF so we can treat it as early as possible.

Play an active role in maintaining heart health

The key to preventing any type of heart disease is to be proactive. Start making healthy changes today to protect your heart in the future. 

To learn more about CHF and how we can help you manage your risks of heart disease, book an appointment online or over the phone with our team at Florida Heart, Vein, and Vascular Institute in Zephyrhills, Lakeland, Plant City, and Riverview, Florida, today.