Managing edema with congestive heart failure

Dear Ask The Doctor: Can a person with congestive heart failure, taking 10 mg lasix a day, have a little swelling of the ankles from edema and be ok as long as he or she has no fluid on the lungs?

Dear Arthur: Congestive heart failure does lead to swelling in the lower limbs( Edema ) and also fluid accumulation in the lungs ( Pulmonary edema). Lasix is useful to decrease this fluid overload. While it may be ok to have some ankle edema , I would advice that if the patient is having other symptoms like breathlessness then the dose of Lasix may need to be increased. Also dietary restrictions like a low salt diet can also help the edema and fluid retention. Also is it important to rule out the other causes of lower limb edema like chronic venous insufficiency, nephrotic syndrome etc.