If you have water retention caused by
congestive heart failure, Lasix
® (
furosemide) may help relieve your symptoms. This prescription medication is approved for treating several conditions, such as
high blood pressure and water retention caused by several conditions (such as CHF,
cirrhosis, and kidney failure).
As a diuretic, Lasix works by increasing the amount of salt and water the kidneys remove from the blood. This extra salt and water is then passed out through the urine. By increasing the amount of water removed from the blood, Lasix causes a decrease in blood volume. Because of this effect, the medication can
lower blood pressure and help with water retention.
Congestive
heart failure (CHF) is a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood throughout the body. It does not mean that your heart has stopped or is about to stop working. Rather, it means that your heart is not able to pump blood the way it should. This can lead to symptoms of CHF, including:
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling of the feet, ankles, or lower legs
- Rapid weight gain.
Using Lasix for congestive heart failure can help with fluid retention by allowing the body to get rid of the extra fluid. The medicine does not cure CHF, however, or other conditions that cause the body to retain fluid.
(Click Lasix for a complete overview of treating congestive heart failure with Lasix. This article discusses how this medicine works, lists potential side effects, and explains what to tell your doctor before beginning treatment.)
