What should be assessed regularly in patients with chronic heart failure?

In managing chronic heart failure, regular assessment of fluid balance and weight is crucial. Fluid balance helps to monitor any retention or overload, which is a common issue in heart failure due to the heart's decreased ability to pump effectively. Weight changes can be an early indicator of fluid retention; gaining weight rapidly may signal worsening heart failure. Thus, monitoring these factors allows healthcare providers to make timely interventions, such as adjusting medications or fluid intake.

While skin integrity, exercise tolerance, and dietary habits are also important aspects of patient care, they do not provide the same level of immediate insight into the management of chronic heart failure as fluid balance and weight do. Focusing on these two areas can help prevent complications such as edema, hypertension, and exacerbations of heart failure symptoms.