what is the need for a "water pill" for heart treatment, whats it do?

Answer 1

A "water pill" or diuretic is used to reduce the excess body fluids stored in body tissue. A good sign of excess fluid is puffy or apparently swollen ankles. If you press your thumb fairly hard into the puffiness and a hollow is formed where thumb pressed, then you have excess fluid. If left uncontrolled it will eventually lead to short breath and finally heart failure. Don't panic - I've been on "water pills" for years.

Answer 2

When it comes to treating high blood pressure and preventing its complications, new studies indicate that diuretics ("water pills") are at least as good, and perhaps better, than some new medicines.

Doctors say there are about 50 million Americans who have high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Researchers suggest that diuretic pills, which eliminate excess sodium and water, should be the first medicine prescribed to treat high blood pressure. Even in cases where multiple medications are recommended, medical authorities say one of them should be diuretics.

Answer 3

Diuretics ( water pill )used in heart failure to get rid of water build up behind the heart so the heart can pump blood more effectively.
Alternatively it is used to control blood pressure

Answer 4

There is an area around your heart called the Pericardium which is a sack and if that fills with fluid it makes the heart harder to pump. The diuretic primarily lasix is used to remove that fluid to allow your heart to pump better. If someone has conjestive heart failure they use a diuretic to help control the fluid.

Answer 5

in hypertension it decreases circulating fluid volume thereby reducing pressure...in heart failure the same mechanism.