Watching salt is a key part of treatment for everyone with heart failure. If you have certain signs and symptoms or take very high doses of water pills (diuretics), you may also have to watch your fluids.

When you have heart failure, fluid can build up in your body. This fluid may collect around your waist, heart, lungs or ankles. Fluid retention increases how hard your heart has to work and may cause you to feel tired and short of breath.

Not everyone with heart failure needs to worry about limiting fluids. If your health care team asks you to limit your total fluids each day, make sure you know the total number of cups or fluid ounces that are recommended for you. Limiting how much fluid you consume may help avoid fluid buildup and keep the mineral levels (electrolytes) in your blood normal. At the same time, it’s important to drink enough fluids each day.

Follow these tips to meet your goal.

Fluids include standard liquids and beverages, as well as any foods that melt at room temperature. All of these items count toward your daily fluid limit. Examples include:

• Water
• Milk
• Coffee and tea
• Fruit juice
• Soft drinks (soda pop)
• Ice
• Ice cream, frozen yogurt and sherbet
• Fruit ices and ice pops
• Soup
• Gelatin

Use a standard 8-ounce (oz) or 240-milliliter (mL) measuring cup or standard measuring spoons to measure all of your fluids. Nonstandard cups, glasses or spoons that aren't actual measuring utensils differ in size and won't measure accurately.

Keep these standard fluid measuring units and conversions in mind:

1/4 cup = 2 fl oz (60 mL)
1/3 cup = 2.6 fl oz (80 mL)
1/2 cup = 4 fl oz (120 mL)
2/3 cup = 5.2 fl oz (160 mL)
3/4 cup = 6 fl oz (180 mL)
1 cup = 8 fl oz (240 mL)
1 quart = 32 fl oz (960 mL)
1 liter = 33.3 fl oz (1,000 mL)

Don't guess at how much fluid you're consuming. Accurate measurement is important. Even one extra cup of fluid can add a half-pound to your body weight.

To stay on top of how much fluid you're consuming:

• Plan ahead. Divide your daily fluid limit into the amounts that you need throughout the day for meals and medications. Plan to have a portion of your daily fluids with your meals and some in between meals. Account for any fluids you need to take medications.

  For example, if you're limited to 64 ounces of fluid a day, you might split it up like this:

  • Breakfast: 16 fl oz
  • Morning snack: 8 fl oz
  • Lunch: 12 fl oz
  • Afternoon snack: 8 fl oz
  • Dinner: 12 fl oz
  • Early evening: 8 fl oz

• Try using a visual reminder of your daily fluid limit. Begin your day by filling a clear bottle with enough water to equal the total amount of fluid you've been advised to consume each day.

  When you drink water, take it from this bottle. If you drink or eat other fluids, pour out an equal amount from the bottle. This will help you better pace how much fluid you're consuming and show you how much fluid is left for the day.

• Mark your kitchen glasses with markers. Most glasses sold in stores hold far more than 8 ounces. Mark a line on your favorite glass to help you stick to the right amount.
• Keep a daily log. Another approach is to keep a written log of your fluids each day. Write down how much fluid you consume throughout the day. Don't wait until the end of the day to complete your log — you might forget some servings!

If you feel like your mouth is dry while limiting your fluids, you can use mouth sprays to moisturize your mouth or try peppermint candies to keep your mouth fresh. Ice chips also can be satisfying. Ice stays in your mouth longer, which helps cool it down.

Just remember that 1/2 cup of ice chips is equivalent to about 1/4 cup of water. If you plan to consume ice, you'll need to include it as part of your daily fluid limit. Measure the ice you plan to have each day and store it in a separate container in the freezer.

To accurately measure ice the first time:

• Melt an ice cube — the size you normally use.
• Measure the fluid from the melted ice cube.

Crushed ice melts to about half of its original volume.

To stay satisfied and on track:

• Don't drink fluids without keeping track of the amount you drink.
• Limit salt (sodium) in your diet — sodium increases thirst.
• Try cold drinks or ice — you may find them more satisfying.
• Snack on frozen fruits, like blueberries or grapes, unless your doctor says otherwise — you might find them more satisfying than room temperature fruit.
• Drain foods, like canned fruit, of liquid. If you drink the liquid, measure it. Count it as part of your daily fluids.
• If you have diabetes, be sure to manage your blood sugar. High blood sugar can cause excessive thirst.