fluid retention congestive heart failure

Fruits: apples, bananas, berries, cherries, grapes, melons, oranges, pomegranates, etc.Vegetables: arugula, asparagus, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, spinach, etc.Here are some foods essential to a heart-healthy diet: While limiting sodium is a primary focus of any heart-healthy diet, it shouldn’t be the only focus. Congestive heart failure diet food listįollowing a heart-healthy diet can help you reduce fluid buildup, improve heart health, as well as reach and maintain a healthy weight ( 11). However, while potassium is beneficial for heart health, you may have to follow a low-potassium diet if your levels are too high, which may occur if you’re taking certain medications or have declining kidney function. These foods are naturally low in sodium and contain other important nutrients beneficial for heart health, including potassium, magnesium, inorganic nitrates, and antioxidants ( 10). You can meet this recommendation by eating a diet that contains mostly fruits and vegetables, lean meats, low-fat dairy, whole grains, beans, and legumes.

That said, a more liberalized sodium allowance of 2,500–3,000 mg may be more beneficial for heart failure ( 5). Moreover, a low-sodium diet can be difficult to follow long-term and make foods less palatable and enjoyable, increasing the risk for unintentional weight loss and malnutrition, especially for older adults ( 9).

The current research, however, remains mixed as to whether a low-sodium diet is actually beneficial for heart failure, and many observational studies have even suggested harm ( 5, 6, 7, 8). Salt by weight is 40% sodium and 60% chloride. Sodium is one of the two components of salt, the other being chloride. Congestive heart failure dietĪ low sodium diet restriction is commonly recommended for reducing fluid buildup and other health complications from heart failure.Ī low-sodium diet generally refers to a limit of 1,500–2,000 mg per day.įor reference, most Americans consume about 3,400 mg per day, primarily from restaurants, prepackaged, and processed foods in the form of salt ( 4). Your doctor may prescribe you medications to reduce fluid buildup, but eating the right diet can also help. This fluid accumulates gradually over time, causing shortness of breath and swelling in your lower legs. Over time, these compensatory methods to maintain proper blood circulation to your body’s tissues cause fluid buildup or congestion in and around organs such as the lungs, ankles, and feet. To compensate for reduced blood flow, your heart beats faster, your veins constrict, and your kidneys retain water to maintain proper blood circulation ( 3). With heart failure, your heart pumps less blood than it otherwise would if it was healthy, causing a decrease in blood pressure. Congestive heart failure increases fluid retention Your doctor may review your medical history, conduct a physical examination, and perform tests like a chest X-ray or heart ultrasound (echocardiogram) to diagnose heart failure ( 2). swelling (edema) in your ankles and feet.It’s commonly caused by heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, and most often occurs in older adults and people who are obese ( 1).Īs a risk factor for heart disease, high cholesterol can also increase your risk of developing heart failure. Heart failure is a condition in which the chambers of your heart (ventricles) don’t fill with enough blood or your heart isn’t strong enough to pump sufficient blood from these chambers to your body’s tissues.

This article explains what to eat and avoid with CHF and provides a sample CHF diet menu. In combination with medications, diet plays an important role in managing your symptoms and reducing your risk of other health complications.

Fluid retention congestive heart failure