Living with heart failure: a practical guide for families and loved ones
Understanding heart failure and how it affects daily life
Heart failure is a long-term condition where the heart cannot pump blood around the body as effectively as it should.
This can lead to symptoms such as breathlessness, tiredness, swollen ankles, and reduced ability to carry out everyday activities. Living with heart failure can affect many aspects of daily life, including walking, climbing stairs, household tasks, and maintaining independence. With the right treatment, healthy lifestyle changes, and ongoing support, many people are able to manage their symptoms and enjoy a good quality of life. A Helping Hands carer can play an important role by encouraging medication is taken on time, promoting gentle physical activity where appropriate, helping to monitor symptoms, and recognising when medical advice should be sought. For more information, take a look at some resources from the NHS and The British Heart Foundation.
Managing symptoms day to day
Managing heart failure symptoms day to day involves following a personalised care plan and making healthy lifestyle choices.
This may include taking prescribed medications as directed, eating a balanced diet that is low in salt, staying as physically active as recommended by a healthcare professional, monitoring weight regularly, and recognising any changes in symptoms. It is important to watch for signs such as increased breathlessness, sudden weight gain, swelling in the legs or ankles, or persistent fatigue, as these may indicate that the condition is worsening and medical advice is needed. Support from family members, carers, and healthcare professionals can help individuals manage their condition confidently while maintaining as much independence as possible.
Common symptoms of heart failure
Breathlessness
Breathlessness is one of the most common symptoms of heart failure. It may happen during physical activity, when lying flat, or even while resting as the condition worsens. This occurs because fluid can build up in the lungs, making it harder to breathe.
Tiredness and fatigue
People with heart failure often feel unusually tired or lack the energy to carry out everyday activities. This happens because the heart is unable to pump enough blood and oxygen to meet the body’s needs, causing muscles and organs to work less efficiently.
Swollen ankles, legs or feet
Swelling in the ankles, legs, or feet is caused by fluid building up in the body’s tissues. This happens when the heart cannot pump blood effectively, leading to fluid retention. Shoes or socks may feel tighter than usual, and the swelling may become more noticeable as the day goes on.
Weight changes
Sudden weight gain can be a sign of fluid retention caused by heart failure. Gaining more than a few pounds over a short period may indicate that the condition is worsening. In some cases, people may also lose weight due to reduced appetite or advanced heart failure.
Dizziness or light-headedness
Heart failure can reduce the amount of blood reaching the brain, leading to dizziness or feeling light-headed. Some people may also feel faint or experience episodes of near-fainting, especially when standing up quickly.
Sleep problems
Many people with heart failure have difficulty sleeping. Breathlessness may become worse when lying flat, causing frequent waking during the night or the need to sleep propped up with extra pillows. Poor sleep can also contribute to daytime tiredness and fatigue.
Medication routines and treatment support
At Helping Hands, we understand that managing medications and treatment plans can feel overwhelming, especially when routines become more complex.
Our experienced nursing care team provides specialist support to help you manage more complex health needs safely at home. From supporting with medication routines and treatment plans to monitoring your condition and working alongside healthcare professionals, our nurses provide skilled, compassionate care tailored to your unique needs. We take the time to understand your care requirements, providing reassurance and guidance while helping you maintain as much independence as possible. With Helping Hands, you can feel confident knowing you have dedicated support from a trusted team that prioritises your comfort, wellbeing, and quality of life.
Staying active with heart failure
Some tips on staying active with heart failure include:
Emotional wellbeing
Living with heart failure can affect your emotional health as well as your physical wellbeing. Feeling worried, anxious, or low is common, and having the right support can make a real difference. At Helping Hands, we’re here to provide companionship, reassurance, and encouragement every step of the way.
Diet, fluid and lifestyle changes
Healthy eating and making positive lifestyle changes can help you manage heart failure more effectively. Following your healthcare team’s advice on diet, fluid intake, activity, and rest can reduce symptoms and improve your overall wellbeing. Our carers can support you in maintaining these healthy habits every day.
Work, money and benefits
A heart failure diagnosis can affect your ability to work and may create financial concerns. Understanding the support, benefits, and services available can help ease some of the pressure. We can help you access the information and practical support you need to maintain your independence.
Monitoring your symptoms
Keeping track of your symptoms is an important part of managing heart failure. Monitoring changes such as breathlessness, swelling, tiredness, or sudden weight gain can help identify problems early. Our carers can support you in recognising changes and encourage you to seek medical advice when needed.
Support for family and carers
Helping Hands can be there for you during your heart failure journey with our expert care.
Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with heart failure or have been living with the condition for some time, Helping Hands is here to provide the support you need in the home you love. Our condition-led care is tailored to your needs, helping you manage your symptoms, maintain your independence, and improve your quality of life. Our compassionate carers can support with medication reminders, healthy meals, mobility, daily routines, and monitoring changes in your symptoms. We can also accompany you to appointments, encourage gentle physical activity, and provide companionship, giving you and your family reassurance that you’re receiving high-quality, person-centred care every step of the way.
When to get urgent help
If you've noticed new symptoms or perhaps your existing ones changing, it's a good idea to seek medical attention.
If you’ve been managing heart failure for a while, changes in your condition can sometimes happen gradually and may be difficult to notice at first. Contact your GP or heart failure team if you experience worsening breathlessness, increased tiredness, swelling in your legs or ankles, sudden weight gain, or changes in your usual symptoms. You should also seek urgent medical advice if you have severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, fainting, or feel suddenly very unwell. Early support can help you manage your condition and maintain your quality of life, and Helping Hands is here to provide care when you need extra support at home. We offer live-in care for around-the-clock assistance, visiting care for regular support with daily routines, and respite care for short-term help when family carers need a break.
Heart failure support with Helping Hands
At Helping Hands, we take pride in our ability to adapt to your needs. We can offer expert home care on a live-in, visiting or respite basis.
Visiting care
Live-in care
A fully regulated home care provider
Here at Helping Hands, our service is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW)
This means we need to consistently meet high standards and are monitored by our regulators.
