Dear Lisa, thank you for your question. The swelling you've noticed in your abdomen could be ascites which is extra fluid that accumulates in the abdominal cavity as a result of congestive heart failure. This fluid is similar to the fluid that accumulates in the lower legs that is called edema. I think you should see your physician to determine if the swelling is truly ascites and if so, how it can be treated.
I hope this information is useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provided specific diagnoses and therapies. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck!
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac