Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED, and the doctors think you have heart failure. This is a condition in which the heart does not pump well. This means your heart cannot move blood throughout your body as well as usual. As a result, fluid backs up in your body, and your organs do not get as much blood as they need. This can lead to symptoms.
Your heart has not actually "failed" or stopped beating. It just isn't working as well as it should. You might be very tired, have trouble breathing, or have swelling.
Heart failure is a long-term problem and will get worse over time. You need to work with your regular doctor to monitor and treat your heart failure.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment.
●Take all your medicines as instructed, even if you feel better.
●Weigh yourself every day, and keep track of your weights. Bring this to your appointment with your regular doctor.
●Quit smoking, if you smoke. Your doctor or nurse can help.
●Stay as active as you can. Going for a walk on most days of the week can help you feel better.
●Avoid or limit alcohol.
●Follow your regular doctor's instructions about your diet. You might need to eat less salt (also called "sodium") to keep your heart failure under control.
●Keep a healthy weight. If you have excess body weight, try to lose weight. Your doctor or nurse can help you do this safely.
●Check with your regular doctor before taking any new medicines or supplements. Even some over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve) can make heart failure worse.
When should I get emergency help? —
Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if you:
●Have symptoms of a heart attack, which can include:
•Severe chest pain, pressure, or discomfort with:
-Trouble breathing, sweating, upset stomach, or cold, clammy skin
-Pain in your arms, back, or jaw
-Worse pain with activity like walking up stairs
•Fast or irregular heartbeat
•Feeling dizzy, faint, or weak
●Are having so much trouble breathing you can only say 1 or 2 words at a time
●Need to sit upright to be able to breathe, or cannot lie down
●Are very tired from working to catch your breath, or are sweating from trying to breathe
●Get very confused, or faint
●Have a very fast or irregular heartbeat
●Cough up frothy or pink saliva
Return to the ED if you:
●Have trouble breathing when talking or sitting still
●Have wheezing or chest tightness when resting
●Wake up at night because you are having trouble breathing
●Feel very weak, dizzy, or tired
●Suddenly gain or lose more than 5 pounds (2.3 kg)
When should I call the doctor? — Call for advice if you:
●Need more pillows than normal to sleep
●Are more tired than normal, or have more trouble breathing with activity
●Cough more than normal
●Feel more tired than normal
●Gain 2 or more pounds (1 kg) in 1 day, or 4 or more pounds (2 kg) in 1 week
●Have more swelling than usual, especially in your feet and ankles or in your belly
●Feel like your heart is beating very fast
●Have diarrhea, or cannot drink water
●Have new or worsening symptoms
Patient education: Heart failure (The Basics)
Patient education: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (The Basics)
Patient education: Medicines for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (The Basics)
Patient education: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (The Basics)
Patient education: Exercise and heart failure (The Basics)
