Heart failure doesn’t mean your heart has stopped working.
It means your heart isn’t pumping blood as well as it should, and that affects how your body gets the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function properly.
This condition is more common than many people realize and can progress gradually, often with symptoms that are easy to overlook at first.
Learning about heart failure is the first step toward managing it.
The American Heart Association offers a free interactive learning tool called “Let’s Talk About Heart Failure,” which guides you through the basics of symptoms, stages, treatment options, and lifestyle strategies.
This resource allows you to explore information at your own pace while accessing downloadable materials to support your understanding and care planning.
A key measure in diagnosing and managing heart failure is your ejection fraction, or EF.
This number represents how much blood the left ventricle pumps out with each contraction.
A normal EF is between 50 and 70 percent, but lower percentages may indicate heart failure or cardiomyopathy.
If you are unfamiliar with this term, the American Heart Association offers a clear video explanation that breaks down what ejection fraction means, why it matters, and how it guides treatment decisions.
Monitoring changes in symptoms is essential for anyone living with heart failure.
Weight gain, swelling in the ankles or abdomen, shortness of breath, and fatigue can be early warning signs that your condition is changing.
The Self-Check Plan for Heart Failure is a simple daily tool that helps you track your symptoms and recognize changes that may require medical attention.
Pairing this with the Heart & Stroke Helper App gives you even more support by letting you log your weight, blood pressure, medications, and lifestyle habits—all in one place.
Heart failure can be managed, but it requires a partnership between you, your loved ones, and your care team.
From medications and fluid restrictions to daily symptom tracking, being engaged in your care leads to better outcomes.
A guide like “Living With Heart Failure” offers practical tools to help manage your condition, set goals, and maintain independence through informed choices.
Emotional support also plays a critical role in recovery and day-to-day management.
The American Heart Association’s online support community connects people living with heart failure, caregivers, and survivors so no one has to navigate this diagnosis alone.
This space offers encouragement, shared experiences, and a sense of belonging that can ease the burden of managing a chronic condition.
Being diagnosed with heart failure is a life-changing moment, but it is not the end of the road.
With education, monitoring tools, emotional support, and proactive communication with your healthcare team, you can take confident steps toward a healthier future.
Your heart may need help, but with the right guidance and care, it can still keep going strong.
You’re not alone in this.
And with the right tools, you’re more prepared than ever.