Heart Failure: Watching Your Fluids: Why Is It Important To Limit Your Fluid Intake

Heart Failure: Watching Your Fluids
Introduction
How much fluid should you have?
Why is it important to limit your fluid intake?
How can you be sure that you are getting enough fluid?
Where to go from here
Credits

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Why is it important to limit your fluid intake?

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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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Last updated:	August 25, 2008
Author:	Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology
Editors:	Marianne Flagg, Terrina Vail

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