Introduction
Too much fluid in your body can make it harder for your already-weakened heart to pump. Your doctor may prescribe a diuretic to help get rid of excess fluid. He or she may also suggest that you limit liquids so that your body can get rid of the extra water and sodium.
Key points
- Monitoring your fluid intake can reduce complications and hospitalizations.
- All foods that melt (such as ice cream, gelatin, and frozen ice treats) and foods that contain a lot of liquid (such as soup) are considered liquids. Be sure to count these in your daily intake.
- Space your liquids throughout the day. Then you won't be tempted to drink more than the amount you are allowed.
- To relieve thirst without taking in extra water, try chewing gum, sucking on hard candy (sugarless if you are diabetic), or rinsing your mouth with water and spitting it out.
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
Return to topic:
How much fluid should you have?
Fluid usually is not restricted in heart failure unless you have advanced or severe heart failure. Usually, restricting sodium intake alone is enough to help your body get rid of extra fluids.
But if your doctor recommends that you limit the amount of fluids you drink and eat (fluid intake), you will need to keep track of all beverages and any foods that contain a lot of liquid. Your doctor will tell you how much fluid you can have in a day.
Test Your Knowledge
- Fluid intake usually is not restricted in heart failure unless your doctor gives you a specific fluid limit.
- True
- False
Why is it important to limit your 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.
Test Your Knowledge
- It is important to follow your fluid recommendations in heart failure:
- So that you can eat more salt.
- Because it can help maintain a normal sodium balance.
- So that you don't have to keep track of the sodium in your diet.
- So that you can quit taking your medicines.
How can you be sure that you are getting enough fluid?
Your doctor will tell you how much fluid you should be taking in every day. Recommendations may range from about 1500 mL (1.6 qt) to 2000 mL (2 qt), or about 48 fl oz (1420 mL) to 64 fl oz (1893 mL) a day. Here are the amounts of fluid in some common equivalent household measures:
| Household measure | Equivalent fluid ounces | Equivalent milliliters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon of fluid | 1/2 fluid ounce | 15 milliliters |
| 1/2 cup of fluid | 4 fluid ounces | About 120 milliliters |
| 1 cup of fluid | 8 fluid ounces | About 250 milliliters |
| 1 quart of fluid | 32 fluid ounces | About 1,000 milliliters (1 liter) |
It is important to know how much fluid your regular drinking glasses hold. You can find out by filling your drinking glass with water and then measuring the amount in a measuring cup. Once you know this, you won't have to measure every time.
Besides water, milk, juices, and other beverages, some foods contain a lot of fluid. Any foods that will melt (such as ice cream, gelatin, or flavored ice treats) or foods that have a lot of liquid (such as soup) should also be measured and counted as part of your fluid intake.
How to keep track of your fluid intake
One method for keeping track of your fluid intake is to have an empty container that holds the amount of fluid you are allowed for the day. As you drink fluids, put an equal amount of water into the container until you reach your fluid limit. When the container is full, you have reached your fluid limit and should stop drinking.
Another method for keeping track of your fluid intake is to allow yourself 8 fl oz (1 cup) of fluid at each meal [3 x 8 fl oz = 24 fl oz, or 3 cup]. You can then fill a container with water to keep in your refrigerator that contains the balance of your fluid allowance. For example, if you are allowed 48 fl oz (6 cup) of fluid a day, you could have 24 fl oz (3 cup) divided into three meals and then another 24 fl oz (3 cup) in the refrigerator to drink during the day. If you drink other beverages besides water (such as coffee, juice, or soft drinks), then you would need to pour out an equal amount of water from your container in the refrigerator.
Test Your Knowledge
- To keep track of your fluid intake, you should:
- Estimate how much you drink during the day.
- Keep track of only the water you drink.
- Measure all beverages and all foods that have a lot of fluid in them.
- Drink only at meals.
- Which is equal to 1 fluid quart?
- 8 fluid ounces
- About 15 milliliters, or 1/2 fluid ounce
- About 1 liter, or 32 fluid ounces
- About 125 milliliters, or 4 fluid ounces
Where to go from here
Talk with your health professional (cardiologist, family doctor, dietitian, or nurse)
If you have questions about this information, take it with you when you visit your health professional. You may want to mark areas or make notes in the margins of the pages where you have questions.
If you would like more information on fluid intake in heart failure, the following resource is available:
Organization
| American Heart Association (AHA) | |
| 7272 Greenville Avenue | |
| Dallas, TX 75231 | |
| Phone: | 1-800-AHA-USA1 (1-800-242-8721) |
| Web Address: | www.americanheart.org |
Call the American Heart Association (AHA) to find your nearest local or state AHA group. AHA can provide brochures and information about support groups and community programs, including Mended Hearts, a nationwide organization whose members visit people with heart problems and provide information and support. AHA's Web site also has information on physical activity, diet, and various heart-related conditions. | |
Credits
| Author | Robin Parks, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Marianne Flagg |
| Associate Editor | Terrina Vail |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology |
| Last Updated | August 25, 2008 |
| Author: | Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: August 25, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology | |
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