Which dietary modification is most likely to help reduce edema in heart failure?

Which dietary modification is most likely to help reduce edema in heart failure?

• A. High-protein diet
• B. Increase fluid intake
• C. Low sodium diet reduces edema
• D. High-fat diet

Answer: (C)

Reducing sodium intake helps manage fluid overload in heart failure. When the heart isn’t pumping effectively, fluid backs up in the venous system and raises capillary hydrostatic pressure, causing edema. The body also activates hormonal systems (like the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and vasopressin) that conserve sodium and water, worsening edema. Limiting sodium decreases overall fluid volume, lowers preload, and reduces edema and related symptoms such as breathlessness. Other options don’t address this mechanism: increasing fluid intake adds volume and can worsen edema, while a high-protein or high-fat diet doesn’t directly reduce fluid retention or edema.

Reducing sodium intake helps manage fluid overload in heart failure. When the heart isn’t pumping effectively, fluid backs up in the venous system and raises capillary hydrostatic pressure, causing edema. The body also activates hormonal systems (like the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and vasopressin) that conserve sodium and water, worsening edema. Limiting sodium decreases overall fluid volume, lowers preload, and reduces edema and related symptoms such as breathlessness.

Other options don’t address this mechanism: increasing fluid intake adds volume and can worsen edema, while a high-protein or high-fat diet doesn’t directly reduce fluid retention or edema.