• Each puff of nicotine temporarily increases heart rate and blood pressure, even as less oxygen-rich blood circulates through the body. Smoking also leads to clumping or stickiness in the blood vessels feeding the heart, which increases the risk of a heart attack
• It may be difficult to try and do this on your own. Speak to your healthcare team about the type of support that will work best for you

• A healthy diet that is good for your heart includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, skinless poultry and fish, nuts and legumes, and non-tropical vegetable oils
• Also, limit saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, red meat, sweets, and sugar-sweetened beverages 

• Sodium causes your body to hold on to fluid. That can raise your blood pressure, cause swelling (oedema) in your legs, or make it hard to breathe. Most of your sodium comes from hidden salt in processed food
• Instead of salt, use herbs or no-salt seasoning. Choose fresh vegetables. If you use canned or frozen veggies, make sure they’re unsalted. Also, look for low-sodium foods and water at the store

• Sudden weight gain or loss can be a sign that your heart failure is progressing
• Weigh yourself at the same time each morning
• Notify your healthcare professional if you gain more than 2-3 pounds in one day, 5 or more pounds in 1 week, or any other amount your doctor asked you to monitor

• If you have heart failure, it’s common for your body to retain fluid
• Ask your doctor if you need to limit how much fluid you get each day
• Remember, it isn’t just drinking fluids that counts. Ice, ice cream, hard candy, sherbet, gelatine, and soup all add up
• Being thirsty may be common: some suggestions to help cut down on your thirst include sucking on ice chips and hard candies, chewing gum, eating frozen grapes or strawberries, or rinsing your mouth instead of drinking to help limit your fluid intake as directed by your doctor

• Drinking too much alcohol can increase your risk for health problems, including high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, obesity, stroke, and liver disease
• If you don’t drink alcohol already, don’t start. If you do drink, discuss with your doctor the risks of consuming alcohol in moderation

• Being active is great for you when you have heart disease. It can lower your cholesterol and blood pressure and help you lose extra weight
• If you’re not physically active, talk to your doctor about starting an exercise routine to find out what’s safe for you
• Be sure to move every day. Plan some physical activity at the same time every day so it becomes a regular part of your lifestyle
• If moderate exercise isn’t possible for you, consider participating in a structured rehabilitation program

• Living with heart disease can make you angry, depressed, or anxious. Getting mad or stressed is linked to a higher risk of a heart attack
• Find ways that work for you to ease your stress: Talk with someone close to you about what’s going on or you can also try practicing meditation, yoga, or deep breathing
• Learn to say no. Do not promise too much. Give yourself enough time to get things done
• Your healthcare team can be a great source for additional help, so be sure to let them know how you’ve been feeling

• Your blood pressure goes down during sleep, giving your heart and blood vessels a bit of a rest. The less sleep you get, the longer your blood pressure stays up during a 24-hour cycle
• When you’re well-rested, you’re less hungry
• Ongoing lack of sleep changes the way your immune cells work. They may not attack as quickly, and you could get sick more often
• If you are having trouble sleeping, try making changes to your routine:

     – Change what you do during the day; for example, get your physical activity in the morning instead of at night
     – Create a comfortable sleep environment and make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet
     – Set a bedtime routine and go to bed at the same time every night