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What kind of support do you need today?

Living with heart failure is hard work. How can we support you today? This is a judgment-free space where you can share the truth about what's been hard for you lately.


We are here for you❤️

  1. I would love some advice on how much I can exercise after discovering I have atrial fibrillation and a weakened heart.

    1. I credit cardiac rehab for putting me back together! Better than the meds! Maggie (Heart-Failure.net Team)

    2. Yes it is!!!!!
      Kimberly (Heart-Failure.net Team)

    1. thank you for sharing! Have you tried expressive therapy? Wishing you a peaceful weekend 😀 - John M. (Heart-Failure.net Team)

    2. Hi J..
      Suggest you ask your cardio guy. Probably different for each person. I was told 102 heart beat. Doing qigong my oxygen is 97/99 HB 97/107. Get a odometer. Good luck,
      Stan Sheftel

  2. Online groups like this are so important! Even though we live right outside of Knoxville, there is not a support group for Heart Failure Patients or their caregivers. I can't imagine how hard it is for people living in even more remote areas in our state to find support. Groups like this are such a lifeline and I am so thankful my husband became a part of it. I have learned so much about what he goes through and it has helped me understand him better and become a better care taker for him!

    1. A support group in my area is how it all happened for me. I was unsure at first, but the kind of support I got was unbelievable
      Kimberly ( Heart-Failure.net Team)

    2. Yes!!!! Patient peers are the best. Patients understand patients and I'm been so thankful to be a part of this group. Maggie (Heart-Failure.net Team)

  3. Since my coronary artery disease, which resulted in a heart attack, has been successfully treated with stents and medication, the support I need is primarily from my own efforts to remain healthy. That means some don'ts (alcohol, nicotine, excessive consumption of red meat, carbohydrates, salt) and some dos (exercise, balanced diet, hydration, semi-annual visits to my cardiologist). Since I'm retired, I also try to maintain a balanced schedule with lots of varied activities. I find that sitting around leads to bad habits, especially dietary.

    1. I am trying a to-do list to help with the accountability of my daily healthy habits. I've read it takes 3 weeks to build a habit so 3 weeks from now, I can erase what I am doing now and add more. Maggie (Heart-Failure.net Team)

    2. One of the biggest challenges when trying to change bad habits is identifying other behaviors that are associated with them. For example, when my husband was trying to quit smoking, he realized he couldn't just say that he wouldn't smoke at home. He had to make sure he didn't do it while driving (because he drives a lot with his job). So, he had to find something else in place of smoking while driving like chewing gum. (FYI: Smoking also is associated with oral fixations which is why some people gain weight when they stop. Crazy huh?!!!)

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