Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine you. You may have some tests, such as:

• chest X-ray to look for fluid in the lungs and to see the size of your heart
• electrocardiogram (ECG), a recording of the electrical activity of your heart
• blood tests
• urine tests
• echocardiogram, a sound-wave test that can show heart size, heart function, and possible heart valve disease.

The goals of treatment are to reduce the amount of work on your heart, to get rid of the extra water in your body, to improve how well your heart pumps, and to treat problems that may be making your condition worse. Your doctor will prescribe medicines to help control your heart failure. Ask your doctor about possible side effects of these drugs. Report any side effects to him or her right away. Take all the medicine prescribed, even when you feel better.

Limits on your activities will depend on how severe your heart failure is. Most people benefit from a gentle exercise program.

Your doctor will also put you on a low-salt (low-sodium) diet. Too much sodium causes your body to retain water, which increases the amount of work on your heart. You should be careful about taking nonprescription drugs because some are high in sodium. Ask your doctor which nonprescription medicines are safe to use.