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Weigh Yourself Each Day

Stepping on your scale is one of the most important steps you can take toward controlling your heart failure systems. Keeping accurate notes of your day-to-day weight fluctuations will help you and your healthcare providers keep your heart failure under your control. Rapid weight changes can be a sign of gaining or losing fluid.

Your Weight and Your Heart

As mentioned in the first section of this guide, fluid buildup is an effect of heart failure. As this fluid appears as extra weight, more severe heart failure generally means more fluid buildup. If you experience noticeable weight gain, it may mean a downturn in the health of your heart. Therefore, you need to be monitoring your weight daily.

Is there a right way to weigh myself?

Weighing yourself is simple: all you do is step on a scale. However, there are a few things you can do to be sure you keep a more accurate record of your daily weight:

  • Don’t change scales.
  • Weigh yourself after urinating but before consuming any food or liquids.
  • Weigh yourself when you’re dry.
  • Write down your daily weight accurately. You need a detailed record, not a general idea.

When should I call my healthcare provider about my weight?

Call your healthcare provider if either of the following happen:

  • You gain 2 pounds in one day.
  • You gain 5 pounds over your target weight.

This may mean your body is retaining fluid and thus requires a change in your treatment plan. If you have any questions about your target weight or about your management plan, call your healthcare provider.

When You’re Gaining…

If you’re gaining weight, it’s either:

  • You’re gaining weight in fluids.
  • You’re gaining weight in fat.

If you’re gaining weight slowly, you’re likely gaining fat. Ask your healthcare provider to help determine the source of your weight gain, and whether you should be changing your treatment plan.

When You’re Losing…

Losing weight typically mean you’re dehydrated. Again, contact your healthcare providers to assess the reason behind your weight loss, and determine if it warrants a change in your treatment plan.

Diagnostic Tests

Treatment Procedures

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