Weight gain

It’s very common for people with heart failure to experience rapid changes in their weight. If your heart failure is causing fluid accumulation, you will gain weight. However, if your body loses this fluid (for example, after appropriate treatment), you will lose weight. It’s important to weigh yourself regularly and to tell your doctor or nurse if you notice your weight increase by more than 2 kilos (3 pounds) in 3 days. To make this easier we have provided a chart that you can download, print and use to track your weight and any changes.

When you notice weight gain on your chart, look at the pattern of weight gain and think about your recent lifestyle. Weight gain due to fluid retention is different to weight gain due to a high-calorie diet. If you are unsure as to why you have gained weight, contact your doctor or nurse.

Animation

Animation explaining how heart failure causes fluid accumulation

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ESC Guidelines for Heart Failure

What patients need to know

This guide for patients from the European Society of Cardiology aims to provide an overview of the latest evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure.

In particular, it should help patients to understand the:

  • main types of heart failure
  • medicines used to treat heart failure
  • devices that may be appropriate
  • importance of rehabilitation
  • management by a multidisciplinary team
  • importance of self-care in managing your own condition

Learn more

AN ANIMATED JOURNEY THROUGH HEART FAILURE

A series of 9 simple, captivating animations explaining heart failure and its treatment.

These narrated animations explain how a healthy heart works, what happens to it in heart failure and how various treatments work to improve your health.

PATIENT AND CAREGIVERS VIDEOS

In this section you can watch, listen or read interviews with other people with heart failure and their caregivers.

VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

and share your own views and experiences with other patients, families and caregivers.

heartfailurematters.org is a European Society of Cardiology website

The heartfailurematters.org website was developed under the direction of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). The ESC is a world leader in the discovery and dissemination of best practices in cardiovascular medicine. Our members and decision-makers are healthcare professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to represent professionals in the field of cardiology in Europe and beyond.

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