What should a healthcare provider advise a patient with heart failure to monitor at home before discharge?

Monitoring daily weights is crucial for patients with heart failure as it helps in assessing fluid retention, which is a common complication of this condition. Weight gain can indicate worsening heart failure due to fluid accumulation. Patients are typically advised to weigh themselves at the same time each day, using the same scale, and to keep a log of their weight changes. A sudden increase in weight—often defined as gaining 2-3 pounds within a short period, like 1-2 days—can signal the need for medical intervention or a review of their treatment plan. This practice enables timely adjustments to medications and dietary restrictions, thereby preventing hospitalization due to exacerbations of heart failure.