Lifestyle changes after heart failure hospitalization
Life after a heart failure hospitalization can be challenging. Making heart-healthy choices is one way that may help.
Heart healthy diet
A heart-healthy diet is rich in a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, poultry, low-fat or non-fat dairy, nuts, legumes, and liquid plant oils. A heart-healthy diet also limits beverages and foods with added sugars, processed foods and meats, salt, alcoholic beverages, and tropic oils.
Tips to stay on track
Set reminders
Use a calendar or set reminders on your phone to take your medication and for doctor’s appointments.
Track symptoms
Use a daily diary or symptom tracker to note any symptom changes and share these with your doctor.
Monitor weight
Weigh yourself daily and talk to your doctor right away if you gain more than 2-3 pounds in a day or more than 5 pounds in a week. Weight gain is also an indication that you are retaining too much fluid.
Stay active
Talk with your doctor about starting an exercise regimen and what physical activity might be right for you. Scheduling exercise or activity at the same time each day can help become part of your lifestyle.
Manage stress
Find ways to manage stress. Try a class in meditation or spend a few minutes each day sitting quietly and picturing a peaceful scene.
Quit smoking and avoid alcohol
Smoking and drinking alcohol can have negative health effects, including those related to heart health. The American Heart Association recommends quitting smoking and avoiding alcohol, but if drinking alcohol, doing so in moderation.
Remember you are NOT ALONE IN THIS
Be sure to work with your healthcare team and keep them informed of any changes you notice in your condition. Your team, along with your family and friends, can support you in living with heart failure and doing everything you can to avoid another chronic heart failure hospitalization.
About VERQUVO
VERQUVO is a prescription medicine used in adults who are having symptoms of their chronic (long-lasting) heart failure, who have had a recent hospitalization or the need to receive intravenous (IV) medicines and have an ejection fraction (amount of blood pumped with each heartbeat) of less than 45 percent to reduce the risk of dying and to reduce the need to be hospitalized.
What is VERQUVO?
VERQUVO is a prescription medicine used in adults who are having symptoms of
VERQUVO is a prescription medicine used in adults who are having symptoms of their chronic (long-lasting) heart failure, who have had a recent hospitalization or the need to receive intravenous (IV) medicines and have an ejection fraction (amount of blood pumped with each heartbeat) of less than 45 percent to reduce the risk of dying and to reduce the need to be hospitalized.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
VERQUVO may cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy.
- Females must not be pregnant when they start taking VERQUVO.
- For females who are able to get pregnant:
- Your healthcare provider will do a pregnancy test to make sure that you are not pregnant before you start taking VERQUVO.
VERQUVO may cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy.
- Females must not be pregnant when they start taking VERQUVO.
VERQUVO is a prescription medicine used in adults who are having symptoms of their chronic (long-lasting) heart failure, who have had a recent hospitalization or the need to receive intravenous (IV) medicines and have an ejection fraction (amount of blood pumped with each heartbeat) of less than 45 percent to reduce the risk of dying and to reduce the need to be hospitalized.
VERQUVO may cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy.
- Females must not be pregnant when they start taking VERQUVO.
- For females who are able to get pregnant:
- Your healthcare provider will do a pregnancy test to make sure that you are not pregnant before you start taking VERQUVO.
- You must use effective forms of birth control during treatment and for 1 month after you stop treatment with VERQUVO. Talk to your healthcare provider about forms of birth control that you may use to prevent pregnancy during treatment.
- Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you are pregnant during treatment with VERQUVO.
- There is a Pregnancy Surveillance Program that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to VERQUVO during pregnancy. Patients should report any exposure to VERQUVO during pregnancy by calling 1-877-888-4231or at https://pregnancyreporting.verquvo-us.com.
Do not take VERQUVO if you:
- are taking another medicine called a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator (sGC). Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure if you are taking an sGC medicine.
- are pregnant.
Before taking VERQUVO, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if VERQUVO passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed if you take VERQUVO. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you take VERQUVO.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take. Certain other medicines may affect how VERQUVO works.
The most common side effects of VERQUVO include:
- low blood pressure
- low red blood cells (anemia)
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please read the accompanying Medication Guide for VERQUVO, including the information about birth defects if taken during pregnancy, and discuss it with your doctor. The physician Prescribing Information also is available.