Heart failure means that your heart muscle doesn't pump
as much blood as your body needs. Because your heart can't pump well, your body
tries to make up for it. To do this:
- Your body holds on to salt and water. This
increases the amount of blood in your bloodstream.
- Your heart beats
faster.
- Your heart gets bigger.
Your body tries hard to make up for heart failure. But at
some point, it won't be able to keep up. The heart gets worn out. Then fluid
will start to build up in the body. This fluid buildup is called congestion.
This extra fluid shows up on the scale when you weigh yourself.
It's this congestion that can lead to other symptoms of heart failure.
These include shortness of breath, tiredness, and swelling in your belly and
legs. For many people, if their heart failure gets worse, their symptoms get
worse too.
Your doctor will tell you how to manage ups and downs
in your weight caused by fluid buildup. For example, if you have a slight
weight increase, your doctor may want you to take an extra water pill (diuretic) or limit salt in your food.
Test Your Knowledge
Sudden weight gain may be the first sign that your
heart failure is getting worse.
- True
This answer is correct.Weight gain may be the first sign that extra
fluid is building up in your body and that your heart failure is getting
worse.
- False
This answer is incorrect.How much weight you gain is a measure of how
much extra fluid your body is holding on to. Sudden weight gain may be the
first sign that your heart failure is getting worse.
Fluid buildup, or congestion, can lead to other
symptoms of heart failure.
- True
This answer is correct.When fluid builds up in your body, it can lead
to other symptoms of heart failure. These include shortness of breath,
tiredness, and swelling in your legs and belly.
- False
This answer is incorrect.Fluid buildup can lead to other symptoms of
heart failure. These symptoms include shortness of breath, tiredness, and
swelling in your legs and belly.
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