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Cardiac Edema

Edema is the medical term for swelling. Edema happens when your small blood vessels (arteries and veins) leak fluid into nearby tissues. Doing so creates an excess amount of fluid. As the fluid builds up, the nearby tissues respond by swelling. Cardiac edema occurs when the heart’s diseased or overworked left ventricle (heart’s lower chamber) isn't able to pump out enough of the blood it receives from your lungs. This causes the heart to hold an excess amount of fluid; therefore, swelling.

Lifestyle changes and medications can help control cardiac edema, which can affect your quality of life. If you have cardiac edema or are concerned that you might, make an appointment to talk to a cardiologist.

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Cardiac Edema

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Causes of Cardiac Edema

Although cardiac edema is caused by many different reasons, some of the most common causes include:

Symptoms of Cardiac Edema

Some of the most common signs and symptoms of cardiac edema include:

  • Difficulty breathing when lying flat.
  • Extreme shortness of breath.
  • Swelling in your lower extremities.
  • Fatigue
  • Feeling of suffocating or drowning.
  • Rapid weight gain

Diagnosis of Cardiac Edema

To understand what might be causing your cardiac edema, your doctor will first perform a physical exam and ask you questions about your medical history. After that, you may have one or more of the following diagnostic tests and procedures:

Treatment of Cardiac Edema

Treatment of cardiac edema has several options, most noticeable the lifestyle changes; however, medications can also help reduce signs and symptoms.

Lifestyle Changes

Medications

  • Diuretics “water pills” will help reduce the amount of fluid retention in your body.
  • Beta blockers will help reduce your blood pressure.
  • Heart rate medications will help regulate your heartbeat.

At RWJBarnabas Health, we are the destination for ensuring your heart health. If you are concerned about cardiac edema or another heart condition, connect with one of our expert New Jersey cardiologists.

Request an Appointment

Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
94 Old Short Hills Road
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 322-5000
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Monmouth Medical Center
300 Second Avenue
Long Branch, NJ 07740
(732) 222-5200
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Clara Maass Medical Center
1 Clara Maass Drive
Belleville, NJ 07109
(973) 450-2000
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Community Medical Center
99 Highway 37 West
Toms River, NJ 08755
(732) 557-8000
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Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
201 Lyons Avenue at Osborne Terrace
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 926-7000
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Jersey City Medical Center
355 Grand Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 915-2000
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RWJ University Hospital Rahway
865 Stone Street
Rahway, NJ 07065
(732) 381-4200
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RWJ University Hospital Somerset
110 Rehill Avenue
Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 685-2200
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RWJ University Hospital Hamilton
1 Hamilton Health Place
Hamilton, NJ 08690
(609) 586-7900
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Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
1 Robert Wood Johnson Place
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 828-3000
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Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus
600 River Avenue
Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732) 363-1900
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Cardiac Edema Treatment & Care

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