Watching your fluid intake when you have heart failure

How much fluid should I 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.

However, 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.

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1. Fluid intake usually is not restricted in heart failure unless your doctor gives you a specific fluid limit.

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Author:	Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: September 1, 2006
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
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