Talking to your care team

It is important to talk openly with your health care team about how you are feeling and share any concerns you have related to your condition or treatment. Heart failure can get worse over time, so keep your doctor up to speed on how you're feeling, and if you have trouble doing certain activities.

Questions to ask:

• What type of heart failure do I have?
• What health checks should I be doing and recording on a daily basis (weight, blood pressure, pulse)?
• How will I know if my condition is getting worse? When should I call 9-1-1?
• What is my goal weight?
• If I notice that I am weighing more, at what point should I call you?
• How much exercise can I do and what activities are best? Is it safe for me to exercise on my own?
• Can you review each of the medications I am taking and what they do?
• How much salt can I consume daily?
• How much water/fluids can I drink a day?
• Would I benefit from an ICD?
• Would I benefit from cardiac rehabilitation?
• How often will I need to have my heart checked?