Cardiac Services BC's heart failure program has developed a range of patient education materials that cover topics around living with heart failure and understanding the purpose and safe use of prescribed medications.
Health care providers can download the heart failure patient education resource full package (PDF), or see the health info section for patients to access specific documents.
The following resources should be used by all health care professionals educating their patient on how to co-manage their heart failure care.
- Heart failure 101 (PDF) – provides the basics on heart failure: what it is, its causes and symptoms, and how it's diagnosed, treated and managed over time. Includes information on the importance of a co-management approach to heart failure.
- Heart failure zones (PDF) – shows patients how to assess aspects of their condition and implement the appropriate supports and/or intervention to co-manage their care. Health care professionals should instruct their patients on how to use the form and when and how to access the most appropriate support within their specific health care setting.
- Daily weights (PDF) – provides the why, when and how of monitoring their weight every day. The intent is to ensure patients acquire the basic knowledge to co-manage their heart failure condition and understand why it is important to weigh themselves daily and who to contact if they have concerns.
- Sodium restriction (PDF) – describes key elements regarding sodium restriction. The intent is to ensure patients acquire the basic knowledge to co-manage their heart failure condition and understand why it is important to restrict sodium in their diet.
- Fluid restriction (PDF) – describes key elements regarding fluid restriction. The intent is to ensure patients grasp the importance of fluid restriction and understand the recommended fluid restriction for preventing their heart failure from getting worse.
- Potassium in food (PDF)– provides an extensive list of high- and low-potassium foods. The intent is to help patients choose foods that help keep their blood Potassium levels in a normal range.
- Activity (PDF) – explains the importance of continuing with daily activity after a diagnosis of heart failure, and how it can make their heart stronger and make them feel better. The intent is to ensure patients acquire the basic knowledge to co-manage their heart failure condition and understand why it is important to continue with activity.
- Exercise (PDF) – provides practical advice on the why and how of exercise for patients with heart failure. The intent is to encourage patients to maintain or begin an appropriate exercise program that benefits their health and quality of life.
- Medication resources – see the heart failure patient education section.
