According to the Heart Failure Society of America (2002), the common symptoms of heart failure can be remembered by utilizing the acronym "FACES."

• F- Fatigue
• A- Activities Limited
• C- Chest congestion
• E- Edema or ankle swelling
• S- Shortness of breath

You can find their printable pocket card of these symptoms by clicking here.

According to the Heart Failure Society of America, some of the common risk factors for congestive heart failure include:

• High blood pressure
• Prior heart attack
• History of a heart murmur
• Enlarged heart (or family history of one)
• Diabetes

Additionally, the American Heart Association (), adds that other risk factors include:

• Congenital heart defects
• Coronary artery disease
• Severe lung disease
• Sleep apnea
• Abnormal heart valves
• Disease of the heart muscle

Your should weigh yourself daily. The optimal time to weigh yourself is upon awakening, after you've used the restroom, and before you eat breakfast or drink any fluids. Weighing yourself later in the day may cause an increase in weight on the scale due to meals and water retention. You should always wear the same clothes to avoid fluctuations in clothing weight. Your scale should be on a hard, flat surface and always in a dedicated place to avoid variations in weight. (O'Brien, 2002).

Heart failure can cause your body to retain fluid, causing your heart to work harder and fluid to build up in your body's tissues. Weighing yourself daily helps you and your doctor monitor for signs of fluid retention. If you gain more than 2-3 pounds in a 24 hour period or 5 pounds in a week you should call your doctor right away because he or she may need to change the dose of your medications. (O'Brien, 2002).

At first, congestive heart failure may affect only one side of the heart. If you have right-sided heart failure, the right side of your heart is not pumpig as effectively as it should. This may cause fluid to build up, or "congest," in your liver, abdomen, and limbs.

If you have right sided heart failure, you may have these symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
• Right sided abdominal pain from built up fluid in your liver.
• Fatigue and weakness
• Increased urination, particularly at night.
• Swelling of your feet or hands
• Large, visible neck veins.

(Couzens, 2008)

At first, congestive heart failure may affect only one side of the heart. If you have left-sided heart failure, the left side of your heart is not pumping as effectively as it should. When the left side of the heart is not functioning properly, the excess fluid backs up, or "congests," your lungs. 

If you have left-sided heart failure, you may have these symptoms:

• Shortness of breath, particularly at night.
• Fatigue and weakness
• Weight gain from the fluid build up.
• Decreased urination.
• Persistent cough
• Increased shortness of breath when lying down.

(Couzens, 2008)

• Keep all of your doctor appointments
• Take your medications exactly as prescribed
• Exercise for 30 minutes a day, if not restricted by your doctor
• Eat a heart healthy diet
• Stop smoking
• Take your blood pressure and weight every day
• Knowledge is power! Ask questions, read journals, join a support group