When you have heart failure, your symptoms may get worse very quickly.

This is called sudden heart failure. Often something triggers this to happen.

Triggers upset the delicate balance in your body, causing fluid to build up in your lungs.

This makes it even harder for your heart to pump.

Keeping track of your symptoms will help you learn what your triggers are.

When you get worse, think about what may have caused it, and make a list.

Everybody's triggers are different.

But let's look at steps you can take to avoid some of the more common ones.

Keep a regular schedule.

As much as you can, keep your diet, exercise, and medicine schedules the same every day.

Watch your sodium.

Limit how much sodium you get in your diet.

Too much sodium causes your body to hold onto water and makes your heart work harder.

Your doctor can tell you how much sodium is right for you.

Be careful with exercise.

Exercise is good for your heart.

But exercising too much or too hard can stress your heart and cause sudden heart failure.

So watch for signs that your heart is being stressed, and know when to stop and rest.

Understand all your medicines.

Work with your doctor and pharmacist to know how and when to take all your medicines.

And know what medicines can make your heart failure worse, so you can avoid them.

Taking steps to avoid your triggers can help prevent sudden heart failure ...

keep you healthy ... and help you stay out of the hospital.