"Gave heed" is an expression that refers to paying attention to something. There are many synonyms that can be used to convey the same meaning, such as "listened to," "observed," "noticed," "heeded," "attended to," "paid attention to," "took note of," "considered," "mindful," "alert," "vigilant," "watchful," "attentive," "focused," "concentrated," "absorbed," and "engaged." All of these words can be useful in various contexts, such as in conversations, speeches, or written documents. Depending on the situation, it may be more appropriate to use one synonym over another, but they all convey the same central idea of paying attention to something closely.