Heart Failure: Watching Your Fluids

Overview

With heart failure, having too much fluid in your body can lower sodium levels in the blood. It can also cause symptoms such as swelling. Limiting fluids, if your doctor tells you to, can help balance your body's sodium level.

Common questions about limiting fluids

When you have heart failure, you may have some questions about limiting fluids. Here are answers to some of the more common ones.

Does everyone with heart failure need to limit fluids? No. Most people don't need to limit their fluids until heart failure is advanced or severe.
Why is limiting fluids important? Too much fluid in your body can cause low sodium levels in your blood. You may have to limit fluids to maintain your body's sodium balance.
What can I do if I feel thirsty? It's very important to limit your fluid to the level your doctor suggests. But that can be hard. If you feel thirsty, try chewing gum or sucking on a piece of hard candy, a breath mint, or pieces of frozen fruit like grapes or strawberries. If your lips feel dry, try lip balm. But stick with your program.
Can I have alcohol? Alcohol can raise your blood pressure, which makes your heart work harder. Since you are allowed only a limited amount of fluid each day, you may want to choose healthier fluids. Ask your doctor how much alcohol, if any, is safe.

Do you have any questions or concerns? It's a good idea to write them down and take them to your next doctor visit.

How can you manage your fluids when you have heart failure?

Find a way of tracking the fluids you take in that works for you. Here are two methods you can try:
- Write down how much you drink throughout the day.
- Keep a container filled with the amount of liquid allowed for the day. As you drink liquids during the day, such as a 6-ounce cup of coffee, pour that same amount out of the container. When the container is empty, you've had your liquid for the day.

Count any foods that will melt (such as ice cream, gelatin, or flavored ice treats) or liquid foods (such as soup) as part of your fluids for the day. Also count the liquid in canned fruits and vegetables as part of your daily intake, or drain them well before serving.
Space your liquids throughout the day. Then you won't be tempted to drink more than the amount your doctor recommends.
To relieve thirst without taking in extra water, try chewing gum, sucking on hard candy (sugarless if you have diabetes), or rinsing your mouth with water and spitting it out.

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffIgnite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review BoardClinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of UseTerms of Use. Learn how we develop our contenthow we develop our content.

To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.comwebmdignite.com.

Page Footer

I want to...

Audiences

Secure Member Sites

The Cigna Group Information

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details Details