Canadian Heart Failure Society

Canadian Heart Failure Society Canadian Heart Failure Society 🇹🇩

Improving patient care through research, advocacy & education.

09/01/2026

September can bring a lot of routine changes.

New schedules. Busier days. Appointments. Back-to-work or back-to-school energy. After a busy summer, it can be helpful to take a moment and check in with your heart health. ❀

A simple check-in might include:
‱ refilling medications
‱ writing down symptom changes
‱ checking upcoming appointments
‱ noting questions for your care team
‱ asking for support if you need it

It does not need to be complicated. Small routines can help you feel more prepared.

Save this as your September reminder.
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Septembre peut amener beaucoup de changements dans la routine.

Nouveaux horaires. JournĂ©es plus chargĂ©es. Rendez-vous. Retour au travail ou Ă  l’école. AprĂšs un Ă©tĂ© bien rempli, il peut ĂȘtre utile de prendre un moment pour faire le point sur votre santĂ© cardiaque. ❀

Un simple bilan peut inclure :
‱ renouveler vos mĂ©dicaments
‱ noter les changements de symptîmes
‱ vĂ©rifier vos prochains rendez-vous
‱ prĂ©parer vos questions pour l’équipe de soins
‱ demander du soutien au besoin

Ce n’est pas obligĂ© d’ĂȘtre compliquĂ©. Les petites routines peuvent vous aider Ă  vous sentir mieux prĂ©parĂ©.

Enregistrez cette publication comme rappel de septembre.

Looking for an easy no-cook option for hot summer days? ☀A heart-healthy snack plate can be simple, colourful and satis...
08/27/2026

Looking for an easy no-cook option for hot summer days? ☀

A heart-healthy snack plate can be simple, colourful and satisfying.

Try building yours with:
✔ vegetables and fruit
✔ whole grain crackers or pita
✔ hummus or Greek yogurt dip
✔ unsalted nuts or seeds

Small choices like adding more vegetables, choosing whole grains, including protein foods and using unsalted options can help make everyday meals feel more balanced.

For people living with heart failure, nutrition guidance should be personalized. Speak with your healthcare team about sodium, fluids and food choices that are right for you.
//
Vous cherchez une option simple sans cuisson pour les journĂ©es chaudes? ☀

Une assiette collation bonne pour le cƓur peut ĂȘtre simple, colorĂ©e et satisfaisante.

Essayez de la composer avec :
✔ des lĂ©gumes et des fruits
✔ des craquelins ou du pita de grains entiers
✔ du houmous ou une trempette au yogourt grec
✔ des noix ou graines non salĂ©es

De petits choix comme ajouter plus de légumes, choisir des grains entiers, inclure des aliments protéinés et privilégier les options non salées peuvent aider à rendre les repas du quotidien plus équilibrés.

Pour les personnes vivant avec une insuffisance cardiaque, les recommandations nutritionnelles devraient ĂȘtre personnalisĂ©es. Parlez Ă  votre Ă©quipe de soins du sodium, des liquides et des choix alimentaires qui vous conviennent.

Extreme heat can affect everyone, but some people are at greater risk during very hot weather, including older adults an...
08/25/2026

Extreme heat can affect everyone, but some people are at greater risk during very hot weather, including older adults and people living with chronic illnesses such as heart problems. ☀

A few simple reminders during extreme heat:
✔ stay hydrated
✔ spend time in cool or air-conditioned spaces
✔ take extra breaks
✔ avoid strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day
✔ pay attention to symptoms like dizziness, fainting, rapid heartbeat, extreme thirst, swelling, fatigue or shortness of breath

If symptoms change, worsen, or feel unusual for you, contact your healthcare team.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Call 911 if someone is confused, unconscious, has a high body temperature or has stopped sweating.
//
Les grandes chaleurs peuvent affecter tout le monde, mais certaines personnes sont plus Ă  risque pendant les pĂ©riodes de chaleur extrĂȘme, notamment les personnes ĂągĂ©es et les personnes vivant avec une maladie chronique, comme une maladie cardiaque. ☀

Quelques rappels simples pendant les grandes chaleurs :
✔ restez hydratĂ©
✔ passez du temps dans des endroits frais ou climatisĂ©s
✔ prenez des pauses supplĂ©mentaires
✔ Ă©vitez les activitĂ©s exigeantes pendant les moments les plus chauds de la journĂ©e
✔ soyez attentif Ă  l’étourdissement, l’évanouissement, le rythme cardiaque rapide, la soif intense, l’enflure, la fatigue ou l’essoufflement

Si vos symptĂŽmes changent, s’aggravent ou vous semblent inhabituels, communiquez avec votre Ă©quipe de soins.

Le coup de chaleur est une urgence médicale. Appelez le 911 si une personne est confuse, inconsciente, a une température corporelle élevée ou a cessé de transpirer.

Keeping track of small changes can help support better conversations with your healthcare team.For people living with he...
08/20/2026

Keeping track of small changes can help support better conversations with your healthcare team.

For people living with heart failure, it may be helpful to note changes between appointments, including:
✔ shortness of breath
✔ fatigue
✔ swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen
✔ sudden weight changes
✔ medication questions or side effects
✔ changes in sleep, appetite, energy, or activity

This does not need to be complicated. A notebook, phone note, calendar, or printed checklist can help you remember what to bring up at your next appointment.

If symptoms change suddenly or worsen, contact your healthcare team.

Learn more: heartfailure.ca
//
Suivre certains changements peut aider Ă  avoir de meilleures conversations avec votre Ă©quipe de soins.

Pour les personnes vivant avec une insuffisance cardiaque, il peut ĂȘtre utile de noter les changements entre les rendez-vous, notamment :
✔ l’essoufflement
✔ la fatigue
✔ l’enflure des pieds, des chevilles, des jambes ou de l’abdomen
✔ les changements soudains de poids
✔ les questions ou effets secondaires liĂ©s aux mĂ©dicaments
✔ les changements de sommeil, d’appĂ©tit, d’énergie ou d’activitĂ©

Ce n’est pas obligĂ© d’ĂȘtre compliquĂ©. Un carnet, une note dans votre tĂ©lĂ©phone, un calendrier ou une liste imprimĂ©e peut vous aider Ă  vous rappeler quoi mentionner Ă  votre prochain rendez-vous.

Si vos symptĂŽmes changent soudainement ou s’aggravent, communiquez avec votre Ă©quipe de soins.

Plus d’informations : insuffisancecardiaque.ca

Sodium can be sneaky.Many people think of sodium as table salt, but it is often found in packaged, processed, canned and...
08/18/2026

Sodium can be sneaky.

Many people think of sodium as table salt, but it is often found in packaged, processed, canned and restaurant foods.

Common places sodium may show up include:
✔ deli meats
✔ canned soups
✔ sauces and dressings
✔ marinades
✔ frozen meals
✔ packaged snacks
✔ restaurant meals

For people living with heart failure, sodium and fluid guidance can vary depending on individual health needs, medications and care plans. It is always best to speak with your healthcare team about what is right for you.

A simple habit that can help: check the nutrition label before buying packaged foods.

Small choices can support better awareness. ❀

Learn more: heartfailure.ca
//
Le sodium peut ĂȘtre discret.

On pense souvent au sel de table, mais le sodium se trouve fréquemment dans les aliments emballés, transformés, en conserve ou préparés au restaurant.

On peut le retrouver dans :
✔ les charcuteries
✔ les soupes en conserve
✔ les sauces et vinaigrettes
✔ les marinades
✔ les repas surgelĂ©s
✔ les collations emballĂ©es
✔ les repas au restaurant

Pour les personnes vivant avec une insuffisance cardiaque, les recommandations concernant le sodium et les liquides peuvent varier selon l’état de santĂ©, les mĂ©dicaments et le plan de soins. Il est toujours prĂ©fĂ©rable d’en parler avec votre Ă©quipe de soins.

Une habitude simple : vĂ©rifier le tableau de valeur nutritive avant d’acheter des aliments emballĂ©s.

De petits choix peuvent soutenir une meilleure sensibilisation. ❀

Plus d’informations : insuffisancecardiaque.ca

Heart failure care can feel overwhelming, especially when appointments involve new information, tests, medications, symp...
08/12/2026

Heart failure care can feel overwhelming, especially when appointments involve new information, tests, medications, symptoms or treatment decisions.

You do not have to manage it all alone.

Bringing someone you trust to an appointment can help with:
✔ listening
✔ taking notes
✔ remembering next steps
✔ asking questions
✔ sharing concerns

It can also help to write questions down before you go and ask your care team to explain information in plain language.

Support is part of care. ❀

Learn more: heartfailure.ca
//
Les soins liĂ©s Ă  l’insuffisance cardiaque peuvent parfois sembler complexes, surtout lorsque les rendez-vous incluent de nouvelles informations, des examens, des mĂ©dicaments, des symptĂŽmes ou des dĂ©cisions de traitement.

Vous n’avez pas Ă  tout gĂ©rer seul.

Amener une personne de confiance Ă  un rendez-vous peut aider Ă  :
✔ Ă©couter
✔ prendre des notes
✔ retenir les prochaines Ă©tapes
✔ poser des questions
✔ partager des prĂ©occupations

Il peut aussi ĂȘtre utile de noter vos questions avant le rendez-vous et de demander Ă  votre Ă©quipe de soins d’expliquer l’information en langage clair.

Le soutien fait partie des soins. ❀

Plus d’informations : insuffisancecardiaque.ca

Patient stories are an important part of heart failure awareness because they show what living with the condition can lo...
08/11/2026

Patient stories are an important part of heart failure awareness because they show what living with the condition can look like in real life.

In a story shared by Our Heart Hub, Lori Constable-Smolcic, RN, BScN, writes about living with congenital heart disease and heart failure throughout her life.

Lori was born with congenital heart defects and was told as a child that she was “fixed.” But her heart journey continued. As a young adult, she knew something was wrong, even when her symptoms were dismissed. Her story is a powerful reminder that listening to your body and speaking up matters.

For people living with heart failure, self-advocacy can include:
✔ asking questions
✔ requesting information in plain language
✔ tracking symptoms and changes
✔ bringing concerns to your care team
✔ finding support groups or trusted resources

Read Lori’s full story through Our Heart Hub: https://ourhearthub.ca/cultural-barriers-healthcare-system-challenges-and-a-lifetime-of-self-advocacy-three-heart-failure-champions-share-their-stories/

Preparing for an appointment can help you feel more confident in your care.If you are living with heart failure, conside...
08/06/2026

Preparing for an appointment can help you feel more confident in your care.

If you are living with heart failure, consider bringing a list of questions to your next visit.

Helpful questions may include:
✔ What symptoms should I watch for?
✔ When should I call my care team?
✔ What are my medications for?
✔ Should I track my weight, swelling, or symptoms?
✔ Are there nutrition, sodium, hydration, or activity recommendations I should follow?

Heart failure care is a team effort. Your questions matter.

Learn more: heartfailure.ca
//
Se préparer à un rendez-vous peut aider à se sentir plus confiant dans ses soins.

Si vous vivez avec une insuffisance cardiaque, pensez Ă  apporter une liste de questions Ă  votre prochain rendez-vous.

Voici quelques questions utiles :
✔ Quels symptîmes devrais-je surveiller?
✔ Quand devrais-je communiquer avec mon Ă©quipe de soins?
✔ À quoi servent mes mĂ©dicaments?
✔ Devrais-je suivre mon poids, mon enflure ou mes symptîmes?
✔ Y a-t-il des recommandations concernant l’alimentation, le sodium, l’hydratation ou l’activitĂ© physique?

Les soins en insuffisance cardiaque sont un travail d’équipe. Vos questions comptent.

Plus d’informations : insuffisancecardiaque.ca

After a busy long weekend, a simple check-in can go a long way. ❀For people living with heart failure, small routines c...
08/04/2026

After a busy long weekend, a simple check-in can go a long way. ❀

For people living with heart failure, small routines can help support daily care:
‱ take medications as prescribed
‱ stay hydrated
‱ rest when needed
‱ pay attention to symptoms
‱ note changes in weight, swelling, or breathlessness

It does not need to be complicated. Small habits matter.
//
AprĂšs un long week-end bien rempli, un petit moment pour faire le point peut faire une diffĂ©rence. ❀

Pour les personnes vivant avec une insuffisance cardiaque, les petites routines peuvent soutenir les soins au quotidien :
‱ prendre ses mĂ©dicaments comme prescrits
‱ rester hydratĂ©
‱ se reposer au besoin
‱ surveiller ses symptîmes
‱ noter les changements de poids, d’enflure ou d’essoufflement

Ce n’est pas obligĂ© d’ĂȘtre compliquĂ©. Les petites habitudes comptent.

A heart-healthy summer side that actually feels like summer. ☀Try building your next BBQ salad with:‱ leafy greens‱ str...
07/31/2026

A heart-healthy summer side that actually feels like summer. ☀

Try building your next BBQ salad with:
‱ leafy greens
‱ strawberries or blueberries
‱ cucumber
‱ avocado
‱ unsalted walnuts or seeds
‱ grilled chicken or chickpeas
‱ lemon, olive oil, herbs and pepper

Fresh herbs and citrus can add flavour without relying on extra salt and simple swaps can help make summer meals feel lighter while still being satisfying.

Save this for your next BBQ, picnic or patio dinner. ❀
//
Une idĂ©e estivale bonne pour le cƓur, fraĂźche et simple. ☀

Pour votre prochain BBQ, essayez une salade avec :
‱ verdure
‱ fraises ou bleuets
‱ concombre
‱ avocat
‱ noix ou graines non salĂ©es
‱ poulet grillĂ© ou pois chiches
‱ citron, huile d’olive, herbes et poivre

Les herbes fraĂźches et les agrumes peuvent ajouter beaucoup de saveur sans miser sur le sel.

Enregistrez cette idĂ©e pour votre prochain BBQ, pique-nique ou souper sur la terrasse. ❀

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Ottawa, ON
K2P1L4

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