Heart Failure Team
If you have questions relating to your heart failure diagnosis the team can be called Monday to Friday, 8am until 4pm on 01642 835865.
What is heart failure?
Heart failure can occur when the heart becomes less efficient at pumping blood around the body. There are many reasons why heart failure can happen and the heart failure team will explain why this may have occurred.
Symptoms of heart failure include:
- Shortness of breath either with activity or at rest.
- Some people find it difficult to lie flat or may notice they need to use more pillows overnight.
- Swelling (oedema) of the ankles, which may extend to your feet. This sometimes extends to the legs, thigh, groin and abdomen.
- Tiredness, fatigue or a loss of energy.
Fluid retention
Heart failure means that the heart is not pumping as well as it should. This can result in a build-up of fluid in the body.
It is this extra fluid that can result in your ankles or your legs and abdomen becoming swollen. If there is extra fluid in your lungs this can cause an increase in symptoms of breathlessness. This extra fluid results in an increase in weight. This is why it is important for you to check for signs of fluid retention on a daily basis.
What can you do to help?
Fluid intake: You may be advised to limit the amount of fluid you have each day. We may ask you to keep a record of your fluid intake. If you are unsure how much you should be drinking, please ask your heart failure team.
Dehydration: If you are taking water tablets, we want you to monitor for signs of dehydration.
Symptoms of this may include:
- Dizziness
- Sudden weight loss
- Thirst
- Dry skin
- Dark urine
Weight monitoring: If you have heart failure, a sudden increase in your weight may mean that you are retaining extra fluid in your body. We advise that you weigh yourself every day at the same time – usually in the morning.
Weight gain can be an indication that your heart failure may be getting worse and you may need to change your medication.
Salt intake: It is important to be aware of how much salt you consume. You should aim to have less than 6 grams of salt each day. Avoid adding salt to your meals, and reduce the amount used in cooking.
Alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol can sometimes make your symptoms worse. We advise you to drink very little alcohol and limit it to one or two units a day. We may advise you to abstain completely if your heart failure has been caused by drinking too much alcohol.
Keep active: Having heart failure may result in you becoming more inactive. Sometimes people may gradually feel weaker and feel less able to do daily activities. Your heart is like any other muscle in the body it needs exercise to help keep it as fit as possible.
Whatever exercise you do (walking, dancing, golf, gardening) you must always be able to feel that you have enough breath to be able to talk to someone while you are doing the exercise.
Our cardiac rehabilitation service runs a heart failure management programme which includes an exercise programme as well as educational sessions and we strongly advise taking part in this as part of your treatment plan.
Smoking: Smoking can damage your heart and lungs. If you smoke, we advise you to stop. The heart failure team can advise you on methods to help you to stop.
Get immunised: People with heart failure can quickly become very unwell with flu or pneumonia. It is important that you see your doctor to get the appropriate immunisations each autumn.
Please contact your heart failure team for advice if: Your weight has increased by 3 to 4lbs (1 to 2kg) over the last few days.
This may also be associated with:
- Waking up at night short of breath.
- Feeling more short of breath than usual.
- our ankles, feet or stomach may be more swollen than usual.
Medications
Medicines are a vital part of the management of your heart failure. We will help you to understand how to take them, their benefits and discuss any potential side-effects.
If you develop vomiting, diarrhoea, or fevers, sweats or shivering you must stop the following medicines:
ACE inhibitors: drug names ending in ‘pril’ (for example, perindopril, ramipril, lisinopril)
ARBS: drug names ending in ‘sartan’ (for example, candesartan, losartan, valsartan) ARNIs: sacubitril or valsartan ‘Entresto’
Diuretics: sometimes called ‘water pills’ (for example, furosemide, bumetanide, indapamide, bendroflumethiazide, metolazone)
Eplerenone, spironolactone: for heart failure
Metformin: for diabetes
Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors: Dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin
Contact us
If you require further information please contact us Monday to Friday, 8am – 4pm on:
Telephone: 01642 835865
Email: [email protected]
Further information is available on our web page:
https://www.southtees.nhs.uk/services/heart-chest/specialist-heart-failure-services/
Patient experience
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.
This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the patient experience department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print by emailing:
[email protected]