If you have heart failure and carry excess fluid in your blood vessels, your heart must work harder to pump the excess fluid through your body. Heart failure patients also have less blood in their kidneys, which can lead to more fluid and water retention. This results in swollen ankles, legs and abdomen (called edema) as well as weight gain. Bloating in your stomach may cause a loss of appetite or nausea. To avoid these complications, you must follow strict fluid guidelines.
You are allowed 64 ounces (two liters, half gallon, 2,000 cc/ML) of fluids per day. This includes all fluids: water, coffee, juice, Kool-Aid®, sodas, tea, nutritional supplements, etc.- Foods that melt at room temperature must be included in your fluid intake. A four-ounce cup of Jell-O® equals four ounces. A half cup of frozen yogurt or ice cream equals two ounces of fluid. A Twin Bar® popsicle equals three ounces of fluid.
- A serving of low-sodium soup will add six ounces to your daily fluid intake.
- Most fruits and vegetables are 80% water. Watermelon has the most water and must be counted in your restriction; one cup of cubed watermelon equals eight ounces of fluid, or one cup.
If you feel thirsty throughout the day, you can:
- Eat frozen grapes or other fruit
- Eat ice chips (this counts toward your total limit)
- Suck on Lemonheads® or other hard candy
- Chew a piece of gum
- Brush your teeth or rinse your mouth out with water
If you are continually thirsty, you may need to ask yourself if you are following your sodium guidelines. Salt will make you thirsty. If you are still thirsty after following all of these guidelines, try to keep yourself busy so that you do not think about drinking.
Remember, two cups of fluid in the body equals one pound!
Printer-friendly Fluid Facts Guide
