Heart failure with preserved function

• Work with your GP to identify how to manage your other medical conditions effectively. Make sure you go back to your GP regularly to monitor how you are getting along with your symptoms.
• Talk to your cardiologist about any issues with your heart valves and how they are monitored and managed.
• Have a pharmacist who you can get your prescriptions from for any medication. Don’t miss doses or forget to request repeat prescriptions.

• Good blood pressure control and controlling your heart rate with medications where necessary.
• For existing lung conditions – maintain good inhaler technique and regular reviews.

• Manage your weight. Focus on a healthy diet and seek support from your GP or other organisations to help manage this.
• Give up smoking. There is support provided on the NHS to help you achieve this.
• Keep moving. It is essential to keep moving, no matter how big or small. Set your limits and make some achievable goals to keep you motivated.
• No excess alcohol. If your HF is due to alcohol excess then you must stop, and there is NHS help available – otherwise you are allowed to drink within the recommended daily limits.
• Take only prescribed medications, avoid any illicit drug/substance abuse and get help where needed.
• Look after your mental health and well-being, your mind matters – you can feel overwhelmed by your condition and this can lead to depression and anxiety. Speak to your GP about how you are feeling.
• If you find you are struggling financially due to ill health, you may be entitled to certain benefits.

Furosemide and bumetanide are the 2 most common ones used.

They get rid of excess fluid by making you pee more. They are useful at the lowest dose your doctor feels you need to control your swelling.

If you are given a second dose in a day – take the first one in the morning and then the second dose around lunchtime – as otherwise you may be up a lot during the night to pee.

Your GP will arrange blood tests to ensure that you are not losing too many essential minerals in the excess pee and that your kidneys remain healthy and happy.

Diuretics can make you feel like you have a dry mouth – do not start drinking more.

Do not start drinking more, as increased intake will just replace the extra fluid you are trying to lose.

Sometimes your medical team will recommend restricting your fluid intake to 1.5-2 litres a day to try and help get your fluid retention and swelling under control (this means all fluid like tea, coffee, juice, milk and water are included in this measurement).

Consider other options to keep your mouth fresh – like fruit, chewing gum, ice chips, ice lollies etc.

Salt can cause fluid retention. Restrict the amount of salt you have. Look at limiting foods that contain salt. Check your food labels for hidden salt.

An additional medication that may be considered by your cardiologist is an SGLT2 – named either – dapagliflozin or empagliflozin.

Recent clinical trials have shown this medication to benefit some patients with heart failure with preserved function, when prescribed in addition to your other medications. It has been shown to reduce the possibility of being admitted to hospital alongside improved length of life.

It was initially used as a diabetic drug – but has been found through clinical trials to benefit heart failure symptoms in both type 2 diabetics and non-diabetic patients (it is not suitable for patients with Type 1 diabetes).

If you are prescribed this medication – then please follow all the advice given with the medication.