It's never too late to add a healthier habit or two — or lose an unhealthy one. Many of the steps you can take to prevent heart failure are the same ones that can help keep heart failure from getting worse and putting you out of action.

But let's be honest. You're likely to set yourself up for frustration and failure by trying to make a lot of major changes overnight. Studies show that by taking it one step at a time, people can successfully make healthy changes that really stick for the long run.

It's okay to start with baby steps. Park a little further from the door today or walk to catch the bus at the next stop. Skip the fast-food joint for lunch. If you smoke, cut out a cigarette or two today. Then commit yourself to doing more the next day, and the next, working toward what your doctor recommends.

Most importantly, don't be shy about asking for help when you need it. Loved ones will often jump at the chance to lend a helping hand if you ask. Special counselors are available to help you make every one of these changes easier. Your doctor or nurse can help you find one. Check your local newspaper for a listing of classes or support group meetings in your area.

Top tips your doctor may recommend:

• Follow a low-salt, low-cholesterol diet. Many doctors recommend the DASH eating plan, which offers guidelines, menus, and even heart-healthy recipes that taste good. Some doctors have copies on hand. You can also download a copy at the National Institutes of Health Web site.
  
  
• Get more exercise to build up your strength and fitness level. Confirm with your doctor first but even people with severe heart failure symptoms can benefit from the right kind of exercise. Ask your doctor about cardiac rehabilitation programs, where trained fitness professionals can coach you on getting started slowly and safely based on your condition. These programs are sometimes covered by health insurance for heart failure patients.
  
  
• Lose weight if needed. Getting more active and joining a weight-loss support group can make it easier to meet this goal. Ask your doctor or nurse to suggest programs that may help. Even before you see big changes on the outside, a better diet and more activity lead to great improvements on your inside.
  
  
• Quit smoking. Your odds of quitting are much higher if you enlist some help. Ask your doctor about medications that make it easier to kick the habit. Finding a support group or counselor can also help. For one in your area, call the National Network of Tobacco Cessation Quitlines at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Other lifestyle changes you should consider:

• Avoid or strictly limit alcohol.
  
  
• Take steps to prevent lung infections, such as the flu or pneumonia. Get vaccinated and avoid contact with infected people when possible.
  
  
• Avoid temperature extremes that can raise blood pressure.
  
  
• Manage stress.

Information for Patients about BiDil®

BiDil is approved for use in addition to routine heart medicines to treat heart failure in black patients, to extend life, improve heart failure symptoms, and help patients stay out of the hospital longer. There is little experience in patients with heart failure who experience significant symptoms while at rest. Most patients in the clinical study of BiDil received routine heart failure medicines.

Important Safety Information

Tell your doctor about any allergies you have, especially if you're sensitive to nitrates, such as nitroglycerin tablets or isosorbide dinitrate (Sorbitrate® or Isordil®). BiDil has a nitrate component, so you need to let your doctor know.

Tell your doctor if you're taking any erectile dysfunction or pulmonary hypertension drugs, like Viagra®/Revatio™ (sildenafil), Levitra® (vardenafil) or Cialis® (tadalafil). Mixing these with BiDil may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, fainting, chest pain, or heart attack.

Also tell your doctor if you are taking any medication to decrease blood pressure because when taken with BiDil, blood pressure may become too low.

Drinking alcohol when taking BiDil could make you feel very lightheaded. We recommend that you try to avoid drinking alcohol while taking BiDil.

It is possible you'll get headaches, especially at first. For some patients, Tylenol® (acetaminophen) helps ease the discomfort. Keep your doctor posted on your headache progress and Tylenol use; he or she may want to adjust your dosage.

If you experience dizziness, call your doctor. Please make sure to tell your doctor about any of the signs or symptoms mentioned below or about any unusual events that worry you.

Drinking less fluids than your doctor recommends or losing fluid due to diarrhea, sweating, or vomiting may cause low blood pressure, lightheadedness, or fainting. If fainting occurs, stop taking BiDil and contact your doctor immediately.

Lightheadedness may occur when standing, especially after sitting or lying down.

If you experience any achy and/or swollen joints, unexplained fever for more than a few days, skin rashes, chest pain, prolonged weakness or fatigue (even after a good night's sleep), or any other unexplained signs or symptoms, make sure to tell your doctor as they may be signs of a serious medical condition.

You may also experience rapid heartbeat that could lead to chest pain or aggravate chest pain, or numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.

Sorbitrate is a registered trademark of AstraZeneca LP; Isordil is a registered trademark of Bioavail Corporation; Viagra is a registered trademark and Revatio is a trademark of Pfizer Inc.; Levitra is a registered trademark of Bayer Healthcare, GlaxoSmithKline, and Schering-Plough; Cialis is a registered trademark of Lilly ICOS LLC. Tylenol is a registered trademark of McNeil Pharmaceuticals, a Division of McNeil PPC, Inc.

Please see full Prescribing Information for BiDil.