Did you know that weighing yourself can help prevent heart failure complications? Keep reading below to learn more.
Today marks WEEK TWO of our Heart@Home campaign! For those of you that may have missed the instructions, don't worry, here is a short recap:
As if life isn't busy or complicated enough, it can feel even more overwhelming when you have Heart Failure. One way to feel more in control of your Heart Failure is to track your "vitals" which are measurements of body function. Your vitals can help both you and your doctor better understand your health status and if there are any current issues or potential future problems.
Not only will you feel more in control of your Heart Failure once you start tracking your vitals on a daily basis, but you will also have more information to share with your doctor. This can help you and your doctor identify any problems earlier and help you avoid unnecessary health complications.
Our second Heart@Home Goal is focused on tracking your vitals! By using the Daily Vitals tool in the Heart Failure Storylines mobile app, you can track your vitals including your daily weight.
Heart @ Home Goal #2
Track your weight everyday for 1 week.
Steps:
Log into Heart Failure Health Storylines
Click the ‘Daily Vitals’ box
Enter your weight everyday for 1 week
Weighing yourself every day is especially important if you have Heart Failure because it can show you if you are gaining or losing water. Tracking your weight every day can tell you if your condition is getting better or worse - or if you need changes in your medication or dose. It's best to weigh yourself when you wake up in the morning after you have used the washroom (but before you eat breakfast).
To make sure you get the most accurate reading possible, weigh yourself:
At the same time every morning
Wearing the same amount of clothing every day
Using the same scale every day
BEFORE you eat breakfast
AFTER you have emptied your bladder (after you have used the washroom)
You can also use the Daily Vitals tool to track other vitals on a regular basis including blood pressure, heart rate, ejection fraction, and more.
Later in the Heart@Home program, we'll show you what to do with the data you're tracking - and how you can use it to make informed decisions about your health like adjusting salt intake, reducing fluid, or taking medication to address the symptoms that impact you. We encourage you to share your symptom tracker progress with your doctor so that you can pinpoint your problem areas and work on them together. You can even invite your doctor or other care provider using the Circle of Support.
Take Care,
The Heart Failure Health Storylines Team
*Note it is important to seek help immediately and tell your doctor if you experience any alarming symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, profuse sweating, or a sudden change in weight (+/- 2 pounds in a day).*