What dietary modification is recommended for heart failure patients?

• A. High sodium intake
• B. Low sodium intake (less than 2g a day)
• C. No restrictions
• D. High sugar intake

Answer: (B)

Reducing sodium intake helps control fluid balance and blood pressure in heart failure. When the heart isn’t pumping well, the body activates systems that promote sodium and water retention, increasing blood volume. Eating a high amount of sodium makes this worse, leading to more edema, shortness of breath, and fatigue because the heart has to handle a larger preload. A low-sodium diet limits this fluid buildup, easing symptoms and often improving exercise tolerance and quality of life. The typical target is less than 2 grams of sodium per day (roughly 5 grams of salt). This is part of a broader management plan that includes medications and fluid considerations when needed. High sodium intake would worsen congestion, while no restrictions wouldn’t address the fluid overload, and high sugar intake doesn’t specifically help with heart failure symptoms.