How Can Heart Failure Be Prevented?

You can take steps to prevent heart failure. The sooner you start, the better your chances to avoid it or to stay healthier longer.

For People Who Have Healthy Hearts

If you have a healthy heart, you can take action to prevent heart disease, which helps prevent heart failure. To prevent heart disease:

• Follow a heart healthy diet that focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat diary products, and lean meat. It also should be low in salt, fat, saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. Examples of healthy eating plans are the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan.
• Quit smoking if you smoke. Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
• Lose weight if you're overweight or obese.
• Get regular physical activity. Aim for at least 30 minutes on most, and preferably all, days of the week.
• Avoid using illegal drugs.

For People Who Are at High Risk for Heart Failure

Even if you're at high risk for heart failure, you can take steps to reduce your risks. People at high risk include those who have high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, or diabetes, or people who are obese.

• Follow all of the steps listed above.
• Treat and control any conditions that cause heart failure. Take medicines as your doctor prescribes.
• Avoid drinking alcohol.
• See your doctor for regular followup visits.

For People Who Have Heart Damage but No Signs of Heart Failure

If you have heart damage but no signs of heart failure, you can still reduce your risks. In addition to taking the steps above, take all of the medicines your doctor prescribes to reduce your heart's workload.

If you have side effects from a medicine, tell your doctor. You should never stop taking medicine without asking your doctor first.