Symptom 9: Increased Urination at Night: A Subtle Sign of CHF
Increased urination at night, or nocturia, is a subtle but common symptom of CHF. This symptom occurs when excess fluid in the body is filtered by the kidneys and produced as urine. When a person with CHF lies down to sleep, the fluid that has accumulated in the legs during the day is redistributed and subsequently filtered by the kidneys, leading to increased urine production.
An individual with CHF may find that they need to get up several times during the night to urinate. This can disrupt sleep, leading to daytime fatigue and impacting the person’s quality of life. It’s also worth noting that nocturia can be a sign of worsening CHF, as it may indicate that the body is retaining more fluid.
Individuals with CHF may also notice changes in the color or consistency of their urine. For instance, the urine may be darker or frothier than usual, which can be a sign of protein in the urine. (9)
