• Heart failure means that the pumping function of the heart muscle isn’t working as well as it should.
• Currently, there are more than 750,000 people in the UK living with heart failure, and millions of people worldwide.
• The symptoms include shortness of breath, getting tired when you do physical activity and retaining fluid – often around the ankles, feet or abdomen.
• The most common cause of heart failure is a heart attack.

Find out more about heart failure and watch real people talking about their heart failure

• Weigh yourself every day – if you are worried about any weight changes, talk to your GP, heart failure nurse or practice nurse, as your medication may need adjusting.
• Avoid foods that are high in salt, as this will help reduce the risk of retaining too much fluid.
• If you have been advised to restrict your fluid intake, you should stick to the amount you’ve been told to have.
• Take your medications as prescribed and avoid stopping them without having a chat with your GP, heart failure nurse or practice nurse.
• If you get short of breath easily, don’t overdo it one day, as you’ll feel exhausted for several days afterwards. Instead, work out a steady pace that suits you.
• Have a plan in place for when you feel unwell, such as calling your GP, heart failure nurse or practice nurse.

For more information on how to manage your heart failure, order An everyday guide to living with heart failure, by calling 0870 600 6566 or downloading it here.