Your healthcare provider will probably recommend that you consume no more than 2,000 mg of sodium per day.

Avoid processed and convenience foods such as frozen dinners, sauce mixes, deli meats and canned soups. Rather than salt, season your food with herbs, spices and seasonings like Mrs. Dash.

Your healthcare provider may recommend that you weigh yourself daily to monitor fluid status and check weight. Generally, if your weight increases by two pounds in a day or five pounds in a week, you should contact your healthcare provider.

The earlier congestive heart failure is diagnosed, the better the outcome. There are a number of medications that work to improve the heart’s pumping function and decrease heart failure symptoms.

Many patients benefit from a cardiac rehabilitation program, and regular exercise is essential for all patients. If you’re overweight or obese, you’ll need to work with your healthcare team to lose weight.