Is Frequent Urination a Sign of Heart Failure?

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. In 2023 alone, cardiovascular disease accounted for the equivalent of 1 in every 3 deaths. 

However, while most people can already spot the most common symptoms of heart failure, such as fatigue or shortness of breath, there may be an overlooked connection between heart failure and increased urination. 

If this is you or a loved one, know that you aren’t alone. In this article, you’ll learn why heart failure may cause symptoms like urinary incontinence, find tips on keeping your heart healthy long-term, and see if you qualify for $0 bladder control supplies like pads or diapers so you can live confidently.

“Heart disease” is an umbrella term for multiple types of cardiovascular medical conditions. These may include:

• Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): The most common form of heart disease, CAD narrows or blocks your heart’s blood vessels, affecting blood flow to the heart. This can lead to a heart attack or angina.

• Chronic Heart Failure: Also called congestive heart failure, this occurs when your heart is unable to pump blood to the body correctly. It can develop after CAD, high blood pressure, or a heart attack.

• Arrhythmia: Irregular heartbeats, either too fast or too slow, are often due to problems with the electrical signals in your heart.

• Atherosclerosis: This condition causes reduced blood flow to your heart due to plaque buildup on your heart’s arteries from cholesterol or fats.

Heart failure is a serious condition that can cause different symptoms, such as:

• Fatigue

• Shortness of breath.

• Fluid retention.

Another lesser-known symptom caused by heart failure and other heart conditions is urinary incontinence (UI). UI is the loss of bladder control, which can lead to a handful of symptoms, depending on which type of UI you develop. The main symptom of UI is the unintentional loss of urine.

Yes, heart failure and different heart diseases can lead to UI, which is prevalent among individuals with said conditions. According to the International Neurology Journal, up to 50% of people with heart conditions experience UI. 

The two main types of daytime UI that you may experience with these conditions are:

• Urge Incontinence. Urge incontinence, also called overactive bladder (OAB), is commonly associated with heart conditions. Urge incontinence occurs when your bladder muscles contract more frequently than usual, causing a sudden and intense urge to urinate, sometimes leading to leakage. OAB symptoms include using the bathroom more frequently than usual. If you have heart disease, you may experience urge incontinence / OAB because it can increase urine production.

• Overflow Incontinence. Overflow incontinence is another type of UI you may experience with heart failure. The main symptom of overflow incontinence is the inability to empty your bladder completely, which leads to small amounts of urinary leakage throughout the day. Overflow incontinence may occur if you have heart failure due to urinary blockages or nerve damage.

Heart condition medications, such as diuretics, may also cause UI.

Other types of UI you may experience with heart failure or heart conditions can occur during the night.

These include:

• Nocturia: Nocturia is “common, severe, and closely associated” with sleep disruption and increased fatigue in people with heart failure. The main symptom of nocturia is waking up more than 2 times during the night to empty your bladder. More research is needed to determine why nocturia occurs in heart failure patients.

• Nocturnal Enuresis (NE). Also known as bedwetting, NE can occur in both children and adults. The main symptom of NE is leaking urine while sleeping. The connection between NE and heart failure is complicated. However, one reason it may occur is because heart failure can cause extra fluid to build up. Therefore, when you lie down to sleep, your body may produce more urine, leading to a full bladder during sleep.

The most common signs of heart failure or heart disease may include:

• Chest pain.

• Dizziness

• Fatigue or tiredness.

• Shortness of breath.

• Swollen limbs (feet, ankles, etc.).

Keeping your heart healthy may seem like an overwhelming task, but you can make simple lifestyle changes every day to keep your heart happy! 

Take a look at these quick and easy tips from the American Heart Association: 

1. Eat a healthy diet with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, limiting processed foods, added sugars, and salt intake.

2. Follow the American Heart Association's recommendations for incorporating physical activity in your routine and maintain a healthy weight. Get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week. 

3. Stop smoking and be aware of secondhand smoke.

4. Watch out for high cholesterol and increased blood sugar levels.

5. Manage your blood pressure and stress levels.

6. Avoid drinking alcohol.

Experiencing bladder control problems with heart failure can feel stressful at first, but with the right care and a solid treatment plan, symptoms are often manageable. Here are a few actionable ways to take control:

• Speak with a specialist. If you’re experiencing UI—especially if you’re a heart failure patient—you should always seek help from healthcare professionals specializing in urology or cardiology. They can help you manage bladder symptoms safely while also supporting your heart health.

• Consider incontinence medications. You can discuss with your doctor about getting a prescription for anticholinergics and beta-blockers to lessen your UI symptoms. These medications relax your bladder muscles and slow urine production. However, be aware that some heart disease medications can cause symptoms of UI, particularly diuretics. 

• Exercise your pelvic floor. On top of exercising regularly to keep your heart healthy, strengthening your pelvic floor can improve bladder control.

Frequent urination due to heart failure should never hold you back from living your life confidently. There’s no shame in needing extra support. 

If you experience bladder leaks, check your coverage for free incontinence supplies like bladder control pads or adult protective underwear through Aeroflow Urology today!

References:

American Heart Association. (2024a, January 19). American Heart Association recommendations for physical activity in adults and kids. American Heart Association.

American Heart Association. (2024b, July 30). The American Heart Association diet and lifestyle recommendations. American Heart Association. 

American Heart Association. (2025a, May 29). Heart failure signs and symptoms. American Heart Association.

American Heart Association. (2025b, September 30). Is drinking alcohol part of a healthy lifestyle? American Heart Association.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024a, May 15). About heart disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024b, October 24). Heart disease facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2024, October 28). Atherosclerosis: What is atherosclerosis? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2025, June 25). How the heart beats. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Palmer, M. H., Hardin, S. R., Behrend, C., Collins, S. K.-R., Madigan, C. K., & Carlson, J. R. (2009). Urinary incontinence and overactive bladder in patients with heart failure. Journal of Urology, 182(1), 196–202.

Redeker, N. S., Adams, L., Berkowitz, R., Blank, L., Freudenberger, R., Gilbert, M., Walsleben, J., Zucker, M. J., & Rapoport, D. (2012). Nocturia, sleep and daytime function in stable heart failure. Journal of Cardiac Failure, 18(7), 569–575.

Son, Y.-J., & Kwon, B. E. (2018). Overactive bladder is a distress symptom in heart failure. International Neurourology Journal, 22(2), 77–82.

Disclaimer

Information provided on the Aeroflow Urology blog is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or care from a healthcare professional. Aeroflow recommends consulting your healthcare provider if you are experiencing medical issues relating to incontinence.