Published in Volkswagen Health News, 2012.1.12, No. 1912, link to page 9: http://epaper.voc.com.cn/dzwsb/html/2012-01/12/content_449085.htm?div=-1 Heart failure (heart failure for short) is primarily a disease of the elderly. The advent of the “aging age” has further increased the incidence of heart failure. The prevention and treatment of heart failure has become a major and gradually growing public health problem in China. Although there have been great advances in the treatment of heart failure since the 1990s, the mortality rate of heart failure remains high. At the same time, the education and implementation of self-monitoring for heart failure patients remains weak. Strengthening the guidance of self-monitoring for heart failure patients will help to further improve the efficacy of heart failure therapies, improve the clinical prognosis of heart failure patients, and improve the quality of life. The main measures include the following: Wuhan Union Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Guanghua Su 1. Avoid causative factors: Infection is a common cause of heart failure, so chronic heart failure patients need early application of an adequate amount of antibiotics, regardless of the type of infection. Some frail elderly patients have atypical symptoms when infected, their body temperature is not necessarily high, and they only show poor appetite and lethargy, so they should closely observe the changes in their condition. Pay attention to keeping warm to avoid aggravation of cold and flu or induced heart failure attack. Pay attention to rest and avoid overexertion to increase the burden on the heart. 2. Scientific medication: The level of medication compliance is significantly related to the survival rate of heart failure patients. Should be strictly in accordance with medical advice, do not take the initiative to change or stop using drugs to avoid serious consequences. The patient should be familiar with the toxic side effects of commonly used drugs, so as to facilitate the early detection of adverse reactions, early medical treatment, early treatment. 3. psychological adjustment: chronic heart failure patients are often bedridden or repeatedly hospitalized, prone to some negative negative emotions, lack of confidence in life. Therefore, heart failure patients should pay attention to maintain an optimistic, calm state of mind, not to seek trouble, a variety of activities to do according to their ability, neither brave, nor overly dependent on others. Do not ignore your disease and do not pay too much attention to it, and maintain a good mood. 4. symptom monitoring: learn to self-monitor the signs and symptoms of heart failure, such as shortness of breath, weakness, waking up at night, cough aggravation, lethargy, drowsiness, irritability, oliguria, may be the manifestation of heart failure aggravation, and should promptly seek medical attention. Pay attention to weight monitoring, measure weight every morning after emptying, if weight gain is greater than or equal to 2 kg in 3 days, invisible edema should be suspected, diuretic dose should be increased and salt intake should be restricted, or consult a specialist to adjust treatment. 5. Reasonable diet: The principle is low sodium, low calorie, light and easy to digest. Adequate intake of vitamins, carbohydrates, inorganic salts and moderate amount of fat should be consumed; less frequent meals (because full meals can trigger or aggravate heart failure). Sodium intake should preferably not exceed 3-4 g/day, and control should be stricter in patients with intractable heart failure. Avoid typical sodium-rich foods, such as cheese, cured meats, canned foods, and smoked foods, and try to use low-salt foods. 6. Fluid restriction: Follow guidelines for fluid intake of less than 2 liters per day, especially in patients with severe hyponatremia or persistent or occasional fluid retention despite strict salt restriction and adequate use of diuretics. The patient should avoid uncontrolled drinking of water or beverages and ensure that the amount of output is greater than the amount of intake when accompanied by edema. 7. Quit smoking and limit alcohol: Alcoholic cardiomyopathy patients are strictly prohibited from drinking alcohol. There is no definitive answer to the question of whether a small to moderate amount of alcohol consumption can do more harm than good to heart disease. Drinking alcohol accompanied by excessive sodium and food intake is detrimental to heart failure patients, and it is generally recommended that heart failure patients limit their alcohol intake. Smoking can cause vascular endothelial dysfunction, enhanced inflammatory response, and increased thrombogenesis, promoting or exacerbating the progression of heart disease. Therefore, all patients with heart failure must quit smoking.8. Moderate exercise: Guidelines recommend exercise as a useful adjunctive therapy in patients with current or previous heart failure symptoms and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Exercise can also reduce the prevalence of depression in heart failure patients. Based on the results of large clinical trials in recent years, it is recommended that patients with heart failure exercise at least 3-5 times per week for about 30 minutes each time, with adequate warm-up for 10-15 minutes before exercise, which can be supplemented by walking for reinforcement during untrained time. A specialist can also be consulted to develop an individualized exercise rehabilitation program.