What should I track at home?

To get an accurate assessment of your fluid level, you need to know your dry weight. This is a baseline measurement of what you weigh without excess fluid accumulation. If youve recently been in the hospital, your weight when you were discharged is likely to be your dry weight. (Excess fluid buildup would have been treated during your hospital stay.) Otherwise, ask your provider what you should use as your dry weight. Daily…

In people with heart failure, blood pressure is a balancing act. On the one hand, high blood pressure forces the already-overworked heart to work even harder. The increased effort your heart muscle must make to pump against constricted blood vessels can further weaken your heart over time. …

For most people it doesnt matter which arm you use to measure your blood pressure. Choose the side thats more comfortable for you. If you are right handed, it will probably be easier to measure your blood pressure in your left arm, leaving your right hand free to adjust the cuff and handle the equipment. …

To begin, youll need a blood pressure monitor. There are dozens of models on the market. But for best accuracy and ease of use, buy a validated monitor. In order for a monitor to be validated, it must meet a series of testing standards to ensure accuracy. …

Select an automatic home blood pressure monitor that is capable of measuring your heart rate. An automatic device measures your blood pressure with the push of a button (no need to manually pump the cuff to inflate it). Second, get a cuff that will fit over your upper arm-not on your wrist and not on your finger. …

A change in your heart rate can be a sign of worsening heart failure. A faster heart rate, for example, may mean that your heart is pumping faster to compensate for a loss in pumping capacity. Certain heart failure medications can also affect heart rate. An increase in your heart rate or a heart rate that is too slow may indicate that your medication dose needs adjustment. …

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart failure, and high blood pressure can worsen existing heart failure. Many drugs used to treat heart failure are also used to treat high blood pressure, increasing the risk that your blood pressure may fall too low. Your home blood pressure measurements can provide valuable information about your condition and your response to treatment. It can also help your provider fine tune your treatment…

To begin, youll need a blood pressure monitor capable of tracking your heart rate. There are dozens of models on the market. But for best accuracy and ease of use, buy a validated monitor. In order for a monitor to be validated, it must meet a series of testing standards to ensure accuracy. The monitor should have a cuff for the upper arm (not the wrist or finger) that automatically inflates. If possible, purchase…