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A healthy lifestyle can go a long way to help you feel your best, whatever type of cardiomyopathy you have or whichever stage it's at.

Is there a best diet to follow?

Avoiding too much sodium, a component of salt, is recommended for most adults. That's less than 2,300 mg a day -- about one teaspoon. If, like most Americans, you need to cut back, try a gradual approach to let your tastes adjust. Watch out for restaurant meals and processed foods, which tend to be particularly high in sodium.

The is one option for a diet that emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy, fish, poultry, beans, and nuts, while cutting down on sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars. Research has linked this diet to a lower risk of heart failure hospitalization.

The -- which also emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grain, beans and legumes, fish, and poultry, along with olive oil -- has been associated with heart health. In one small , people who lost weight on that diet along with exercise saw improvements in the shape and function of their heart and fewer cardiomyopathy symptoms.

Should I exercise?

Daily light exercise is safe for most people with cardiomyopathy. Exercise training or regular physical activity is actually highly recommended for individuals with heart failure to improve functional status, exercise performance, and quality of life.

Talk with your doctor about what exercise might be right for you. Rehabilitation programs offered at medical facilities may be helpful for those with heart failure in particular. Some individuals at high risk for cardiac arrest due to their condition or who have had myocarditis might need to stay away from very vigorous or competitive sports, but it's a discussion to have with your doctor.

What else can I do to maintain my health?

Be consistent with the medications you've been prescribed. Maintaining a healthy weight can help your heart as well as your general well-being. People whose cardiomyopathy has progressed to heart failure should keep a log of their daily weight and symptoms, which can provide an early warning system to allow your care team to escalate therapy and keep you out of the hospital.

And if you haven't already, quit smoking, avoid or limit alcohol intake, and steer clear of stimulant drugs that can strain the heart.

Read previous installments in this series:

Understanding Your Diagnosis of Cardiomyopathy

What to Expect When Your Doctor Suspects Cardiomyopathy

How to Prepare for Your Cardiomyopathy Appointment

Should My Family Be Checked for Cardiomyopathy Too?

"Medical Journeys" is a set of clinical resources reviewed by doctors, meant for physicians and other healthcare professionals as well as the patients they serve. Each episode of this 12-part journey through a disease state contains both a physician guide and a downloadable/printable patient resource. "Medical Journeys" chart a path each step of the way for physicians and patients and provide continual resources and support, as the caregiver team navigates the course of a disease.