Watching Your Fluid Intake When You Have Heart Failure: Why Is It Important To Limit My Fluid Intake
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Why is it important to limit my fluid intake?
Too much fluid in your body can make it harder for your already-weakened heart to pump and can make the symptoms of heart failure worse. Things that affect the amount of fluid in your body include:
- Too much sodium, which will cause your body to hold onto (retain) extra fluid. Following a low-sodium diet is important in preventing too much fluid from building up in your body.
- Diuretics, which help your body get rid of excess fluid.
- The amount of fluid you drink, especially if you cannot get rid of the extra fluid by limiting sodium and taking medicines.
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How can I be sure that I am getting enough fluid?
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Watching your fluid intake when you have heart failure
| Last updated: | September 01, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Robin Parks, MS |
| Reviewed By: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Terrina Vail |
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