Following your diet on holiday

It may not be possible for you to completely follow your normal diet when you are travelling or on holiday, especially if you are abroad. A short-term change to your diet shouldn’t have too much effect on your condition as long as you make sensible choices and are still careful to limit your daily salt intake. Try to avoid very salty soups, sauces, prepared meats and cheeses and limit your alcohol consumption, for example.

You can of course always take certain foods with you on your travels if this is appropriate and will make you feel more comfortable. If taking any foods abroad, you may wish to check what you can and cannot take through customs by contacting the airline you are travelling with, or by speaking to a reputable travel agent.

If you are travelling to a very hot country you should be aware that the heat may put extra strain on your body, causing you to get tired quickly, and you may feel thirstier than usual. If you make any changes to the amount of fluid your drink, or to your diuretic medications, make sure you monitor your symptoms and seek professional advice if you are unsure of what to do.

For more information on following a ‘heart-healthy diet’ click here.

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ESC Guidelines for Heart Failure

What patients need to know

This guide for patients from the European Society of Cardiology aims to provide an overview of the latest evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure.

In particular, it should help patients to understand the:

  • main types of heart failure
  • medicines used to treat heart failure
  • devices that may be appropriate
  • importance of rehabilitation
  • management by a multidisciplinary team
  • importance of self-care in managing your own condition

Learn more

AN ANIMATED JOURNEY THROUGH HEART FAILURE

A series of 9 simple, captivating animations explaining heart failure and its treatment.

These narrated animations explain how a healthy heart works, what happens to it in heart failure and how various treatments work to improve your health.

PATIENT AND CAREGIVERS VIDEOS

In this section you can watch, listen or read interviews with other people with heart failure and their caregivers.

VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

and share your own views and experiences with other patients, families and caregivers.

heartfailurematters.org is a European Society of Cardiology website

The heartfailurematters.org website was developed under the direction of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). The ESC is a world leader in the discovery and dissemination of best practices in cardiovascular medicine. Our members and decision-makers are healthcare professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to represent professionals in the field of cardiology in Europe and beyond.

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