Congestive heart failure is the medical way of saying that the heart isn’t pumping the way it should. It can occur because of a defect, or because the heart has become too weak to do its job. But it doesn’t happen all at once. The American Heart Association classifies CHF by stages A through D. Today we’re going to talk about stage A CHF – and what you can do about it.
What is Stage A CHF?
Stage A CHF basically means that while the heart is still pumping along, there are danger signs ahead. Those danger signs are factors that put the patient at very high risk for developing heart failure. Conditions like diabetes, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and a history of rheumatic fever are all included in these risk factors.
Since at stage A there is not yet any actual heart failure, there’s a lot you can do to stop it in its tracks. No, we’re not talking about medication here. We’re talking about lifestyle changes. They’re not easy, not at all. But they’re really, really worth it.
Let’s take a look.
Quit smoking!
We tend to associate smoking with lung disease, not with the heart. But every time you inhale that nicotine, it causes both your heart rate and your blood pressure to go up temporarily. The blood circulating through your body is also less saturated with oxygen than it should be. Talk to your doctor about ways you can quit.
If you don’t smoke yourself but you live with someone who does, that’s a problem too. Secondhand smoke is real, so either help them quit or ask them never to spoke inside the house or next to you.
Healthy Eating
The food you eat has a direct affect on your heart. According to The Mayo Clinic, sticking to a food plan that’s rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains is crucial to stage A CHF management. Stick to low-fat or fat-free dairy products, and include healthy proteins from legumes and lean meats like chicken and turkey. Fish, too. Snack on heart-healthy, unsalted nuts like walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts and macadamia nuts.
What to avoid? Sodium. While you don’t have to cut out salt completely, try to keep it to a minimum. Limit your alcohol and caffeine intake as well. If you live in your own home, get your spouse on board to help you stick to your food plan. If you live in a senior community, talk to the staff there about how they can be of assistance. That’s what they’re there for, after all.
Exercise
One of the healthiest things you can do at this stage is to be physically active. Parking your car further away from your destination, getting off the bus a stop or two early and getting out of the elevator a floor lower or higher than where you need to go are all easy ways to keep yourself moving even without formal exercise.
That doesn’t mean formal exercise is out of the question, though. But before you start working out – or even if you’re a regular exerciser – talk to your doctor to get clear guidelines on how to exercise safely for stage A CHF.
Relax
Stress is really, really not good for your heart. It’s also really, really hard to completely avoid it. Keep yourself as stress-free as possible by taking time each day to sit for 20 minutes or so and breathe deeply. Meditation or mindfulness exercises are great at relieving stress. Take time out to enjoy life’s little pleasures. And be sure to get enough sleep!
Monitor Your Symptoms
Whether it’s your blood pressure, fatigue level, fluid intake, level of swelling (edema) or anything else, your doctor will tell you which symptoms you should be monitoring. If you notice any changes in any of them, notify your primary physician or the medical staff at your residence immediately.
Do you have experience with stage A CHF? Please share your knowledge in the comments below!