Built by the HF Community for Those Living With HF
DEVELOPED WITH PATIENTS, PATIENT ORGANISATIONS, AND
CARE PARTNERS FOR THOSE LIVING WITH HEART FAILURE
Your emotional experience with heart failure
‘Doctors always asked how I was feeling physically, but not how I was feeling emotionally. I had to figure out what was going on inside my head before I could make any real changes.’
Your emotional well-being is important, too
When you get diagnosed with heart failure, you will be asked a lot about your physical well-being. What symptoms are you experiencing? Have you gained any weight? Are your ankles swollen? These are all important signs of heart failure to monitor.
But keeping track of your emotions is just as important. Being able to manage them can help you start to feel better.
You may be feeling lots of different emotions, such as fear about the future, anger about your diagnosis, or stress about managing your condition. These are all normal feelings, but letting them build up could make living with heart failure more difficult.
Let your emotions out!
One important way to deal with emotions like depression and anger is to talk about them. You might be surprised at how much better you feel after talking about it.
Here are some other tips for managing your emotions:
Get educated
The more you understand about heart failure, the less overwhelming it will seem
Get up
Talk to your doctor about what exercises you can do. Exercising is another great way to help calm some of your anxieties
Take it easy
A long bath, a walk in the woods, or even a massage can help you feel better emotionally
Stay positive
It can be hard at times, but maintaining a positive attitude can help you find hope
Seek professional help
It is normal to sometimes feel sad or hopeless. But if these feelings last, reach out and consult a specialist (therapist or psychiatrist). A specialist can help you with counselling and/or antidepressant medicines
Build a network of support
You may find it helpful to network with people going through the same experience as you. Your doctor or hospital may be able to recommend a local heart failure support group, or you can see resources here
