HEART FAILURE CAN CHANGE THE STRUCTURE OF YOUR HEART

If you have Heart Failure, it doesn’t mean your heart has stopped working. However, it does mean that the structure of your heart may have changed and isn’t working as well.

If you have Heart Failure, it doesn’t mean your heart has stopped working. However, it does mean that the structure of your heart may have changed and isn’t working as well.

A Healthy Heart

When the heart relaxes, it fills with blood. When the heart squeezes, it pushes that blood, which contains nutrients and oxygen, out to the rest of the body.


A Heart Failure Heart

Heart Failure changes the structure of your heart so it doesn’t work as well and can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.

It’s important to note new Heart Failure
symptoms or changes to current ones

Heart Failure symptoms increase the risk of death and hospitalization but they often go unnoticed.
Click on each symptom to learn more.

Shortness of breath image

Shortness of breath

People with Heart Failure often have trouble breathing during activity, as well as when at rest, including when lying down to go to sleep. This is caused by blood backing up and fluid leaking into the lungs.

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Swelling

People with Heart Failure often complain of having swollen feet, legs, ankles, and even stomachs. This particularly bothersome symptom occurs when blood backs up and fluid collects in the tissues.

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Coughing

A nagging cough, often followed by white or pink mucus, occurs when fluid backs up into the lungs.

Confusion or memory loss image

Confusion or
memory loss

When the heart isn’t working correctly, the brain may not be getting the blood it needs to function properly. For this reason, people with Heart Failure often experience episodes of confusion or memory loss.

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Rapid weight gain

Gaining sudden weight—for example, 3 or more pounds in a single day—is generally a sign of fluid retention. If you have Heart Failure and notice this symptom, call the doctor right away.

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Feeling tired, fatigued

When the heart isn’t able to pump out enough blood, the body sends it to the most critical organs first. This means that arm and leg muscles may not receive enough oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood, which can make them feel weaker. As a result, everyday tasks such as walking or climbing stairs can feel exhausting.

If you’re experiencing symptoms, or think you may be at risk of Heart Failure, talk to your doctor right away.

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Managing Your Heart Failure

Learn about lifestyle changes, medication, and activities that may help manage Heart Failure.

How much do you know about Heart Failure?

Heart Failure is a sudden event,
like a heart attack.

TRUE
FALSE

Unlike a heart attack, which is considered an episodic event, Heart Failure is generally considered to be a chronic condition. This means that it won’t go away and therefore requires ongoing management. A heart attack may be one of the causes of Heart Failure.

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How much do you know about Heart Failure?

HEART FAILURE CAUSES FLUID TO
COLLECT IN YOUR TISSUES.

TRUE
FALSE

When you have Heart Failure, the pumping ability of the heart is decreased, which results in less blood returning to the heart. This, in turn, causes fluid to build up in the tissues, which results in swelling.

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How much do you know about Heart Failure?

A BOWL OF CANNED CHICKEN NOODLE
SOUP IS A GOOD MEAL CHOICE FOR
SOMEONE WITH HEART FAILURE.

TRUE
FALSE

Canned food often contains high amounts of sodium, which can cause the body to retain water and make some Heart Failure symptoms worse. For this reason, people with Heart Failure should try to stay away from foods high in sodium.

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How much do you know about Heart Failure?

PEOPLE WITH HEART FAILURE OFTEN
HAVE TROUBLE BREATHING, ESPECIALLY
WHEN LYING DOWN.

TRUE
FALSE

Feeling short of breath, especially at night when lying down, is a common Heart Failure symptom. Since the heart’s pumping ability is decreased when you have Heart Failure, blood that normally travels from the lungs to the heart can back up. This causes fluid to build up in the lung tissues, which results in shortness of breath.

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How much do you know about Heart Failure?

IT’S DANGEROUS FOR PEOPLE WITH
HEART FAILURE TO EXERCISE.

TRUE
FALSE

While some people with Heart Failure may not be healthy enough for exercise, daily physical activity can be an important part of many treatment plans. If you have Heart Failure, talk to your doctor about what kinds of activities might be right for you.

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Final score: 0-2 correct!

Everyone has to start somewhere! Since you may be just beginning to learn about HF, you might want to read more about the symptoms of HF and the risks of the condition.

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Final score: 3-4 correct!

Good job! You’re off to a great start, but you can always learn more. For instance, you might like to learn more about how eating right and staying active, can help people with Heart Failure live healthier lives.

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Final score: 5 correct!

Great job! A perfect score! But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing left to learn. For example, would you like to learn about a breakthrough Heart Failure medicine called ENTRESTO? Or maybe you’d like to create a tool to help guide your next conversation with your doctor?

Are you on ENTRESTO?

You could save on your medicine, as well as get lifestyle and treatment support.

SIGN UP AND SAVE

Not on ENTRESTO?

But were recently diagnosed or hospitalized with Heart Failure?

SIGN UP TO LEARN ABOUT ENTRESTO

Learn the risks of Heart Failure

Now that you know what to look for, find
out why you should stay alert.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

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COLLAPSE

What is the most important information I should know about ENTRESTO?

ENTRESTO can harm or cause death to your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about other ways to treat heart failure if you plan to become pregnant. If you get pregnant during treatment with ENTRESTO, tell your doctor right away.

Do not take ENTRESTO if you:

  • are allergic to any of the ingredients in ENTRESTO
  • have had an allergic reaction including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, throat (angioedema) or trouble breathing while taking a type of medicine called an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)
  • take an ACE inhibitor medicine. Do not take ENTRESTO for at least 36 hours before or after you take an ACE inhibitor medicine. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking ENTRESTO if you are not sure if you take an ACE inhibitor medicine
  • have diabetes and take a medicine that contains aliskiren

INDICATION

What is ENTRESTO?

ENTRESTO is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with long-lasting (chronic) heart failure to help reduce the risk of death and hospitalization. ENTRESTO works better when the heart cannot pump a normal amount of blood to the body.

Before taking ENTRESTO tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have a history of hereditary angioedema
  • have kidney or liver problems
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant; are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should either take ENTRESTO or breastfeed. You should not do both

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take potassium supplements or a salt substitute; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); lithium; or other medicines for high blood pressure or heart problems such as an ACE inhibitor, ARB, or aliskiren.

What are the possible side effects of ENTRESTO?

ENTRESTO may cause serious side effects including:

  • Swelling of your face, lips, tongue and throat (angioedema) that may cause trouble breathing and death. Get emergency medical help right away if you have symptoms of angioedema or trouble breathing. Do not take ENTRESTO again if you have had angioedema while taking ENTRESTO
  • People who are Black or who have had angioedema and take ENTRESTO may have a higher risk of having angioedema
  • low blood pressure (hypotension), which may be more common if you take water pills. Call your doctor if you become dizzy or lightheaded, or you develop extreme fatigue
  • kidney problems
  • increased amount of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia)

The most common side effects were low blood pressure, high potassium, cough, dizziness, and kidney problems.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

INDICATION

What is ENTRESTO?

ENTRESTO is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with long-lasting (chronic) heart failure to help reduce the risk of death and hospitalization. ENTRESTO works better when the heart cannot pump a normal amount of blood to the body.

This information is not comprehensive. Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING, and Patient Prescribing Information.