What is the primary function of diuretics in managing heart failure?

Diuretics are primarily used in the management of heart failure to address fluid overload in patients. In heart failure, the heart's ability to pump effectively is compromised, which can lead to fluid retention and congestion in the lungs and peripheral tissues. This condition can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, edema, and overall discomfort.

Diuretics work by promoting the excretion of sodium and water through the kidneys, leading to a reduction in blood volume. This helps alleviate the symptoms of fluid overload, decreases venous pressure, and can improve patient comfort and function. By reducing excess fluid, diuretics help mitigate pulmonary congestion and peripheral edema, enabling patients to breathe easier and enhancing their overall quality of life.

Other treatment goals, such as decreasing heart rate or improving cardiac output, may be secondary effects of managing fluid overload, but the primary function of diuretics is directly tied to managing excess fluid in individuals with heart failure. Thus, reducing fluid overload is the key reason diuretics are a fundamental component of heart failure management.