When A Loved One Has Heart Failure

Some people with severe heart failure need help with their medicines and daily tasks. But, in most cases, what people with heart failure need most is emotional support and understanding.

If you care about someone with heart failure, your emotional support is important. You can be an exercise partner. You can remind your loved one to take medicines. And, you can help him or her to follow a healthier diet.

When heart failure gets worse

Heart failure tends to get worse over time. The good news is that treatments help more and more people with heart failure live long, full lives. They do this with the help of the right medicines, eating well, physical activity, the support of people who love them, and, in some cases, rest.

In the early stages of heart failure, your loved one may feel fine. He or she can probably keep up with most activities. But, if needed, there are medicines that may help him or her keep up with daily routines.

Heart failure usually gets worse slowly. But, if your loved one has other diseases, like diabetes, this change may happen faster. In severe cases, patients may become unable to care for themselves and/or need to go into the hospital.

Talk with your doctor about your loved one’s heart failure, and how you can help. Those needs and your role may change over time.

Ways you can help

• Help your loved one to check his or her weight (PDF Format) every day, and keep a record.


• Make sure that your loved one takes medicine on a regular schedule.


• Throw out the salt shaker. Follow a low-sodium diet.


• Know how to read a food label.


• Keep the doctor’s name and office number handy.


• Carry a list of medicines (PDF Format) your loved one is taking.

Also of Interest

Use the Sodium Tracker (PDF Format) to see how much sodium you have each day (PDF Format).

Charlotte wondered if she and her husband had a future together after his heart failure diagnosis.