Heart Failure: Taking Medicines Properly

Medicines do not cure heart failure. But they can make you feel better, help your heart work better, and help you live longer.

Key points

• Take a list of your medicines or bring your medicines with you when you visit your doctor. Make sure to include any nonprescription medicines and natural supplements that you take. Talk about any side effects you are having or need to watch for.
• Make your medicine schedule as simple as possible. Plan times to take your medicines when you are doing other things, like eating a meal or getting ready for bed. This will make it easier for you to remember to take your medicines.
• Talk with your doctor if you are having problems with when to take your medicine. Your doctor may be able to change your medicines or the times you take them.
• Talk with your doctor if you have any changes in your health that might affect your heart failure, such as weight gain, side effects of medicines, or another health problem.
• Use tools like daily or weekly pill boxes to make taking your medicines simpler.

 What do medicines do for heart failure?

 Why is it important to take your medicines properly?

 How can you take your medicines properly?

 Where to go from here

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