Congestive heart failure is a condition wherein the heart muscle is unable to pump as much blood as is required by the body. It can be fatal if not treated on time and treatment methods include surgeries and medications.The most prominent symptoms of congestive heart failure is debilitating fatigue, shortness of breath, a reduced ability to exercise, and swelling in the limbs. Additionally, proper lifestyle and dietary changes go a long way in aiding recovery and must not be neglected.

This article discusses certain lifestyle changes and tips that one can follow as preventative treatments against congestive heart failure. These tips are non-invasive, but one needs to discuss them with their doctor beforehand and talk about its advantages and disadvantages before adopting them:

1. Eat your way to a strong heart
It is essential to start adding more heart-healthy foods to your diets such as fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts and seeds, lean meats, and legumes and reduce the usual suspects such as added sugars, trans fat, saturated fats, and alcohol. Eating the right foods is as important as eating on time. Sustain your energy with wholesome snacks packed with protein, fiber and healthy fats such as fruits, granola, etc. The right diet features high in the list of treatments for congestive heart failure.

2. Exercise is the way to go
When one suffers from a condition such as congestive heart failure, the idea of exercise may seem intimidating and in most cases, it is a strict no. One must consult their doctor and find out if there are any exercises they can do as this can be really helpful for overall health. Short stints of exercises such as 10 or 15 minutes divided throughout the day can work wonders. Individuals shouldn’t forget to stretch and cool down before and after their exercise session.

3. Naps are therapeutic
One can take a short nap to rejuvenate themselves so they don’t feel tired all the time. Short naps are powerful ways to provide one with healthy doses of energy. Ensure the nap schedules are not overdone as this may interfere with a good night’s sleep. Taking power naps are one of the best treatments for congestive heart failure.

4. Nourish your mental health
According to evidence by the American Heart Association, mental health is closely linked to heart health. Treating mental issues such as depression, stress and anxiety is key to keeping one’s heart healthy. One can try different relaxation tactics such as breathing exercises and yoga to calm themselves down, sleep better, and feel better. Most experts recommend yoga as one of the best treatments for congestive heart failure.

5. Sleep matters
Research suggests that sleeping for 7-8 hours a night has powerful benefits for one’s health and helps with disease prevention. Getting to bed at the right time and being gadget-free for at least an hour before one sleep better. One can keep the temperature of their bedroom low to enable restful sleep.