If you have been diagnosed with chronic heart disease there is often no cure and you will have to take steps in your life to take care of your heart, your mental condition, and your general health. If you have had any type of surgery for your heart you will also need to make certain that you learn to live with heart disease. You will need to maintain a healthy lifestyle to make sure that you take care of your heart and prevent further damage. The first thing that you need to do is to understand the symptoms and signs of heart disease. If you are experiencing the symptoms of heart disease or heart failure make sure that you seek immediate medical assistance. If you have a heart condition and are taking medication that has been prescribed by your doctor make sure that you take your medication as prescribed and always keep it with you. If you need to make a trip to the emergency room of the hospital make sure that you either take your medication with you or that you make the emergency staff aware of your heart disease condition and the types of medication that you are taking.