Apps to stay well this winter

Cold weather and winter bugs can affect our health, but there are things we can all do to keep well. Apps can be a good source of information, advice and motivation.

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside are working with ORCHA to bring you safe and validated apps to help you manage your health concerns common for this time for year.

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09 August 2021

Treatments (medications, procedures and self-care)

Choose from the medications below to find out more details:

Beta-Blockers

Beta-Blockers are drugs that help your heart beat slower and stronger

Name	Dose (Milligrams)
Bisoprolol	1.25, 2.5, 3.75, 5, 7.5, 10
Carvediolol Taken AM & PM	3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25
Metoprolol Taken AM & PM	25, 50, 75, 100

Mineralocorticoid Antagonists

Mineralocorticoid antagonists are a "type of water tablets," that counteract the adverse compensatory mechanisms, from worsening your heart failure.

Name	Dose (Milligrams)
Spironolactone	12.5, 25, 50
Eplerenone	12.5, 25, 50

SGLT2 inhibitors

Name	Dose (Milligrams)
Dapagliflozin	10
Empagliflozin	10

ACE Inhibitors

ACE Inhibitors relax blood vessels, thereby lowering your blood pressure and help the heart pump more effectively.

Name	Dose (Milligrams)
Ramipril	1.25, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10
Enalapril	32.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40
Lisinopril	5, 10, 15, 20
Perindopril	2, 4, 8

Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB)

Angiotensin Receptor Blockers are alternatives to ACE inhibitors in patients who have side effects to ACE inhibitors.

Name	Dose (Milligrams)
Candesartan	4, 8, 12, 16
Valsartan	340, 80, 120, 160, 320
Losartan	25, 50, 75, 100

Diuretics (Water tablets)

Diuretics prevent fluid from building up in the body and lungs by getting rid of extra fluid and sodium in the urine. These medications make you pass urine frequently.

Name	Dose (Milligrams)
Frusemide	40, 80, 120, 160
Bumetanide	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Bendroflumethiazide	2.5, 5

Anti-platelets

Name	Dose (Milligrams)
Aspirin	75
Clopidogrel	75
Ticagreolor	90

Anticoagulants (Blood thinners)

Name	Dose (Milligrams)
Warfarin	As per INR
Apixaban Taken AM & PM	2.5, 5
Edoxaban	60
Rivaroxaban	15, 20
Dabigatran	60, 90

Anti-Hypertensives (blood pressure tablets)

Name	Dose (Milligrams)
Amlodipine	5, 10
Felodipine	5
Doxazosin	1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16

Others

Name	Dose (Milligrams)
Hydralazine Taken morning, afternoon and evening	25, 50
Isosorbide Mononitrate Taken once a day	30, 60, 90, 120
Isosorbide Mononitrate Taken twice a day	10, 20, 30, 60

Can I improve my heart failure naturally?

If your doctor prescribes you medication it’s important to take it. But making changes to your lifestyle is also going to have a big impact on improving your health.

Changes may include:

weighing yourself regularly and entering your weight into the Aintree Heart Failure Passport – sudden weight gain may mean too much fluid is building up in your body
watching the amount of fluid you have each day
managing stress and mood monitoring in the Aintree Heart Failure Passport app
controlling your blood pressure
stopping smoking
limiting how much alcohol you drink or stopping altogether safely if advised to do so by your clinician
keeping active (and taking part in rehabilitation if advised to do so) – this can help improve your energy, stamina and fitness
keeping to a healthy weight, which will help to prevent your heart from working too hard.

Diet changes are also essential when managing your weight and keeping your heart healthy.

You could feel healthier by eating:

one or two portions of fruit or veg with every meal
sunflower oil, olive oil, nuts and avocados instead of saturated fat options like crisps and butter
one or two portions of beans or pulses everyday with a meal
your protein in the form of fish, eggs and lean meats
less salt and sugar.

How to manage your heart failure at home

Video designed by Dr Sankaranarayanan (Consultant Cardiologist) for the Aintree Heart Failure Passport Mobile APP (Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)