9. Rapid Unexplained Weight Gain
Weight gain is often thought of as eating too much or lack of exercise. But in heart failure, rapid weight gain — several kilograms in just a few days — usually means fluid is building up inside the body. This extra fluid collects in the lungs, legs, or abdomen.
Doctors often ask patients with heart failure to weigh themselves daily. A sudden increase of 2–3 kilograms (5–7 pounds) in a week is considered a warning sign. It may mean the condition is worsening or that treatment needs adjustment.
For example, Mrs. Fatima, a 72-year-old homemaker, noticed that her weight went up by 4 kilograms in less than a week, even though she hadn’t changed her eating habits. At the same time, she felt more breathless. When she visited her cardiologist, he explained that her heart failure was worsening and adjusted her medicines. Within days, her weight returned closer to normal, as the excess fluid was removed from her body.
This shows why monitoring weight is so important in heart failure. Many patients and families think weight gain means “getting healthier.” But in this condition, it often means the opposite — the body is holding onto dangerous amounts of fluid. Checking weight daily and informing doctors about sudden changes can prevent emergency situations.