Heart Failure (HF)

Heart Failure happens because your heart muscle is weak and there is too much fluid inside of it. Without proper treatment, heart failure can:

• Cause your legs, feet and ankles to swell
• Cause confusion or impaired thinking
• Cause loss of appetite or nausea
• Cause you to gain weight
• Causes coughing and wheezing that won't stop, making it difficult for you to breathe
• Make you heart work harder
• Make your energy level low
• Be very dangerous to your life

With treatment, heart failure can be controlled. The Care Coordination program can help you:

• Learn more about heart failure
• Learn about the medicines you are taking
• Understand why it is important to weigh yourself
• Understand why you should avoid salty foods that can cause you to hold fluids (get puffy feet, "hold water")

If are a member who suffers from heart failure, call Keystone Mercy's Care Coordination department to sign up for the program. The number is 1-800-573-4100. We want to help you live a healthy life. Call to speak to a Care Manager today.

For more information on the heart, go to Health Education A-Z: High Blood Pressure.

You can find information like:

• Could You Have High Blood Pressure?
• Stay Healthy: Keep Your Blood Pressure Down
• Have You Had Your Blood Pressure Checked?
• Down with High Blood Pressure