Smoking Cessation.
Dietary restriction of sodium to approximately 2 to 3 grams per day (less
in some cases) to decrease fluid retention.
Restriction of alcohol consumption to 1 to 2 standard drinks in men and 1
in women.
Indefinite abstinence from alcohol consumption if alcohol is thought to be
the culprit of the heart failure.
Daily weight monitoring to detect early fluid accumulation before
symptoms develop in order to prevent the need for hospitalization.
Obese people with heart failure should be encouraged to lose weight, with
the target goal of weight within 10% of lean body mass.
Routine modest aerobic exercise in stable patients, preferably in a cardiac
rehabilitation program.