Challenges of Living with Heart Failure

Originally published during Heart Failure Awareness Week 2023, this article explores the risk factors and the challenges of living with heart failure.

Challenges of Living with Heart Failure

Adhering to a Medication Regimen and Managing Side Effects

Receiving a new, comprehensive medication protocol can be overwhelming. One of the best ways to manage a new protocol is to develop a tracking method that works for you. Consider downloading a mobile app or using a medicine chart tracker, purchasing a pill box, or setting alarms on your phone.

If you are taking all of your medications and feel worse, be sure to tell your health care provider. You may be feeling worse because of your worsening heart failure or another illness. You may also be experiencing side effects from your medications. [1]

In addition to reporting medication side effects to your healthcare provider, it’s also important to adhere to the regimen they have created for you. This includes avoiding supplements and over-the-counter medications that may interfere with your prescribed medications and treatment plan. This may include a variety of supplements and over-the-counter medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and Alka-Seltzer^®, some supplements and even marijuana. [2] Some of these can be found in the HFSA Patient Education Module: Heart Failure Medications or on this episode of the Heart Failure Beat Healthy Living podcast.

Exercising with HF

One of the most important ways that people with heart failure can maintain their sense of well-being is to keep active. In the past, people with heart failure were advised to rest and give up many of their usual activities. But research has shown that activity, including exercise, work, and sex, is healthy and safe for most people with heart failure. [3]

For some, a cardiac rehabilitation program may be the right course of action to support their activity. [4]

Cardiac rehab is a medically supervised program designed to improve your cardiovascular health if you have experienced a heart attack, heart failure, angioplasty or heart surgery. It’s comprised of three parts:

Exercise counseling and training: You’ll learn how to get your body moving in ways that promote heart health.
Education for heart-healthy living: How can you manage your risk factors? Quit smoking? Make heart-healthy nutrition choices?
Counseling to reduce stress: Stress hurts your heart. This part of cardiac rehab helps you identify and tackle everyday sources of stress. [5]

It’s important to talk to your healthcare providers to see if cardiac rehab is right for you.

Differences and Disparities in Heart Failure

Health disparities exist in heart failure. Many social factors can greatly affect a person’s health, including their access to quality healthcare, nutritious food, a healthy living environment, etc. Considered the “social determinants of health,” these factors may put some groups at a disadvantage. [6]

Individuals experiencing poverty may be unable to follow a heart-healthy diet, while those living in food deserts may have limited or no access to fresh fruits and vegetables. People without health insurance are more likely to have unmanaged hypertension, which is a risk factor for heart failure. “Social factors put Black, Hispanic and American Indian people at a disadvantage. These groups often carry a heavier economic and social burden.” [6]

Cardiovascular disease risks and heart failure rates also vary by race, sex, and ethnicity. Here are just a few examples:

59% of Black adults have hypertension, which is the highest prevalence among all racial and ethnic groups.
Black men have a 70% higher risk of heart failure compared with white men.
Black women are twice as likely as white women to develop chronic hypertension during pregnancy. This condition raises a person’s risk for cardiovascular disease down the road.
Hispanic adults are more likely than white adults to have heart failure.
Black adults are more than twice as likely as white adults to be hospitalized for heart failure. [6]

Women die from congestive heart failure more often than men do, accounting for 56.3% of all heart failure deaths. [7]

Adults living in rural areas of the United States have a 19% higher risk of developing heart failure compared to their urban counterparts, and Black men living in rural areas have an especially higher risk – 34%, according to a large observational study supported by the National Institutes of Health. [8]

It’s important for patients to know and understand risk factors across all races, ethnicities, and sexes to be prepared and seek care and self-advocate.

Explore the resources and references below for more information on these topics.