Heart Failure Management: Your Emergency Action Plan

Daily Monitoring

• Weigh yourself every morning
• Record blood pressure and heart rate if prescribed
• Track your symptoms in a diary

Warning Signs to Watch For

Call Your Doctor If You Notice:

• Weight gain of 2-3 pounds in 24 hours or 5 pounds in a week
• Increased swelling in feet, ankles, or legs
• More shortness of breath than usual
• Increased fatigue
• New or worsening cough
• Decreased appetite

Seek Emergency Care Immediately If You Experience:

• Severe shortness of breath or chest pain
• Fainting or severe lightheadedness
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat with weakness
• Coughing up pink, foamy mucus
• Difficulty breathing when lying flat

Emergency Contact Information

1. Your Cardiologist: [Insert Number]
2. Primary Care Doctor: [Insert Number]
3. Emergency Contact Person: [Insert Name and Number]
4. Call 911 for severe symptoms

Medication Management

• Keep an updated list of all medications
• Never stop medications without consulting your doctor
• Bring medication list to all appointments

Prevention Steps

1. Follow prescribed sodium restrictions
2. Take medications as directed
3. Keep all medical appointments
4. Avoid excessive fluid intake
5. Follow exercise recommendations

Important Reminders

• Keep this plan visible and accessible
• Share plan with family members
• Update contact information as needed
• Review plan with healthcare team regularly