• Category: Dr Manoj Godara
• October 10, 2023

MAINTAINING A HEALTHY WEIGHT IN HEART FAILURE

Heart failure is often associated with rapid changes in weight. These can indicate changes in your condition and so need to be monitored carefully.

LOSING WEIGHT

Losing a lot of weight unintentionally over a short space of time can be serious. It could mean that you are not consuming enough calories or that your heart failure or inactivity are causing muscle loss. Unexpected weight loss should always be reported to your doctor. Muscle loss may go unnoticed if you are also retaining fluid as your weight may remain fairly stable.

If you are losing weight; however, and finding it difficult to gain weight, your doctor may advise you to contact a dietician who may recommend trying a high-calorie, high-protein diet. It may also help to try eating smaller and more frequent meals.

Recommendation : Cardiologist In Mansarovar Jaipur

GAINING WEIGHT

Sudden weight gain may be due to fluid retention or overeating.

Weight gain caused by fluid retention may increase the workload on your heart as it has to pump harder to move the excess fluid in the blood around your body. If you are retaining fluid, you will usually gain weight rapidly. You should inform this immediately to your doctor as it can make your symptoms worse.

Weight gain by overeating puts extra strain on your heart as it has an increased area of body tissue to supply oxygen to. You will usually gain weight more slowly. However, this can make your condition worse. Discuss this with your attending physician. 

MONITORING YOUR WEIGHT

Keeping track of your weight by weighing yourself daily (preferably at the same time of day (for example, in the morning after going to the toilet, wearing just your night clothes). You should inform your doctor of any noticeable or sudden changes in your body weight.