Heart Failure Companion

Heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped working. It means the heart is not pumping or filling as effectively as the body needs. This can lead to shortness of breath, swelling, fatigue, fluid buildup, activity limits, sleep disruption, medication changes, and fear of another hospitalization.

The Heart Failure Management Companion was designed to help people living with heart failure, families, caregivers, and support teams organize the real-life concerns that often shape the day: daily weights, swelling, breathing changes, fatigue, medication timing, sodium and fluid questions, blood pressure, sleep, activity tolerance, energy conservation, cardiac rehabilitation, and when to call the care team.

This Companion does not diagnose heart failure, classify heart failure type, prescribe medication, adjust diuretics, prescribe sodium or fluid limits, replace cardiology care, replace cardiac rehabilitation, replace emergency care, or replace individualized provider instructions. It helps users track patterns, organize questions, and communicate more clearly with the care team.

Heart failure is a long-term condition where the heart cannot move blood as well as the body needs. This can cause fluid to build up in the lungs, legs, feet, belly, or other areas. It can also make everyday activities feel harder because the body may not get enough oxygen-rich blood during activity.

Care-team language may include heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, congestion, fluid overload, edema, shortness of breath, exertional dyspnea, orthopnea, diuretics, guideline-directed medical therapy, ejection fraction, and cardiac rehabilitation.

The goal is not to overwhelm users with medical terms. The goal is to help them notice daily changes early and bring better information to the care team.

Fatigue and shortness of breath are two of the most frustrating heart failure symptoms. A person may feel tired after simple tasks, need more rest breaks, feel winded walking across the room, struggle with stairs, or avoid activity because they fear symptoms will get worse.

This Companion helps users track:

• Shortness of breath during rest or activity
• Fatigue and energy crashes
• Activity tolerance
• Stairs, walking distance, bathing, dressing, cooking, shopping, and household tasks
• What makes symptoms worse or better
• Questions for cardiology, primary care, cardiac rehab, OT, PT, or the care team

The goal is not to avoid activity forever. The goal is to understand limits, pace safely, and ask what level of activity is appropriate.

Heart failure can affect sleep and nighttime breathing. Some people may need extra pillows, wake up short of breath, feel more tired in the morning, or struggle with daytime energy. Fatigue can make basic routines feel heavier than expected.

This Companion helps users organize:

• Sleep position and pillow changes
• Nighttime breathing concerns
• Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
• Rest breaks and pacing routines
• Bathing, dressing, cooking, errands, and household task planning
• Questions about energy conservation, sleep, breathing, and safe activity

Energy conservation does not mean giving up. It means using timing, pacing, setup, and rest breaks so the person can participate more safely and consistently.

Heart failure management may include provider-guided activity, cardiac rehabilitation, exercise training, education, symptom monitoring, nutrition support, medication routines, and therapy support when appropriate.

Modalities and supports may include cardiac rehabilitation, provider-guided exercise, physical therapy for strength, balance, endurance, and mobility, occupational therapy for ADLs, IADLs, energy conservation, home setup, and routines, nutrition or dietitian support for sodium and fluid questions, and caregiver cueing for symptom tracking and appointment preparation.

This Companion does not prescribe modalities. It helps users understand what supports may be discussed with the care team, what symptoms or daily tasks they may target, what questions to ask, and what changes to track.

Helpful questions may include:

• Is cardiac rehabilitation appropriate?
• What activity level is safe right now?
• What symptoms mean I should stop and call?
• Should I track blood pressure, pulse, weight, swelling, or shortness of breath?
• What sodium or fluid instructions apply to me?
• What daily tasks should be paced differently?

Heart failure can be emotionally heavy. People may worry about another hospitalization, feel anxious when breathing changes, feel discouraged by fatigue, or feel guilty needing help. Caregivers may feel scared, responsible, or unsure when symptoms change.

This Companion helps families organize:

• Fear of worsening symptoms
• Anxiety about breathing or swelling
• Depression, discouragement, or loss of confidence
• Caregiver stress
• Appointment questions
• Support needs and safety planning

The goal is not to panic over every symptom. The goal is to know what to watch, what to track, and when to contact the care team.

Heart failure symptoms can become serious. Users should follow provider instructions about when to call the care team and when to seek urgent or emergency help.

Provider communication may be especially important when users notice rapid weight gain, worsening swelling, worsening shortness of breath, trouble breathing while lying flat, waking up gasping, chest pain, fainting, severe dizziness, confusion, blue lips or fingers, severe weakness, medication side effects, missed medications, or symptoms that do not match the usual pattern.

This Companion is not a substitute for urgent care, emergency care, cardiology care, medication guidance, or individualized provider instructions.

Common concerns may include:

• “Why am I so tired and short of breath?”
• Swelling, fluid retention, and daily weighing
• Medication timing and multiple prescriptions
• Sodium and fluid confusion
• Fear of another hospitalization
• Sleeping flat, nighttime breathing, and fatigue
• Activity limits versus staying active
• Anxiety, depression, fear, and caregiver stress
• Work, home, and community routines
• Knowing when symptoms are serious

This Companion helps users:

• Track daily weights, swelling, breathing, fatigue, activity tolerance, sleep, blood pressure questions, and daily routines
• Organize questions about medications, sodium, fluid routines, labs, appointments, cardiac rehabilitation, exercise, and therapy supports
• Prepare for cardiology, primary care, pharmacy, nutrition, cardiac rehab, OT, PT, behavioral health, and caregiver-support conversations
• Support safer participation in bathing, dressing, cooking, walking, sleep, work, errands, relationships, and community life