Making some simple lifestyle changes and better, healthier choices is important in managing heart failure. The key is to make small changes to lifestyle and approach to healthier eating and exercise to ensure your loved one’s heart is functioning as well as it can.

A recent survey showed that few people can identify the most common symptoms of heart failure. It is particularly important to understand and recognise heart failure symptoms, keeping a close eye on how they may develop.

Heart failure is a long-term condition for which there is no cure, but a good management plan that is adhered to can keep the symptoms under control for many years.

Education is a powerful tool in the fight against heart failure, but as a part of a healthcare team, you can help improve the symptoms and quality of life of a heart failure patient by limiting their daily salt intake and encouraging them to exercise regularly. Your loved one can also improve their symptoms by avoiding alcohol consumption and eating a nutrient-rich diet. It is also important to speak to a doctor or healthcare professional.

Starting on this heart failure journey with your loved one may be daunting; the struggle is real and the road is long. But it doesn’t have to be a burden, and you don’t have to do it alone. It can be difficult to constantly strive for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and disease management regimen. We have gathered a number of links to social channels and local advocacy groups that you may find helpful to keep you on the right path.

It always helps to hear from other people that have experience as loved ones of people living with heart failure. Hear from others like you - there is plenty of hope, reassurance and motivational stories that will help you realise you don’t have to take this journey alone.