HEART FAILURE: TIPS ON REDUCING FLUID AND SALT INTAKE

A LOW-SODIUM DIET

Sodium is a component of table salt. Most of the sodium in food comes from processed foods like canned goods, frozen meals, chips, deli meats, bread, cheese, etc. Eating home-cooked meals as often as possible is the easiest way to reduce your salt consumption.

At the grocery store, don’t simply rely on the claims on packaging. Learn to read the Nutrition Facts table to make smart choices. If need be, ask your pharmacist or a registered dietician for assistance.

FLUID RESTRICTIONS

Which foods are classified as fluids? This includes all beverages (water, juice, coffee, milk, soda, alcoholic drinks, etc.), as well as soups and broths. Additionally, it encompasses refrigerated or frozen foods that would return to a liquid state at room temperature, such as gelatin (Jell-O), yogurt, and ice cream.

Need a helpful strategy to adhere to your doctor’s prescribed limit? Each morning, measure an amount of water equivalent to the limit set by your doctor (typically 1.5 to 2 liters) and pour it into a container. Throughout the day, when you consume a beverage or a liquid food, gauge your portion and remove the equivalent amount of water from the container. For example, if you have a cup of soup for lunch, pour out one cup of water from the container. Remember to account for the water you use to take your medications. If you finish the entire container before the day ends, you should not consume any more fluids for that day. Over time, you will become more skilled at estimating your fluid intake!

To satisfy your thirst without consuming liquids, consider chewing gum, sucking on hard candies, or enjoying small frozen fruits like grapes or strawberries. Sometimes, simply rinsing your mouth can alleviate your thirst.

Did you know that excessive alcohol consumption can cause blood pressure to rise? If you drink alcohol, always drink in moderation.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU’RE SICK

When you have a fluid-restricted, low-sodium diet, your health can deteriorate very quickly if you fall ill, especially if you experience vomiting or diarrhea. It is important to contact your pharmacist or the contact person in your health care team promptly. They will assess the situation with you and make the appropriate recommendations.

Need help? Your pharmacist is there to help you!