Heart Failure Symptoms: 5 Warning Signs to Watch For
Heart failure symptoms can start quietly. Learn five warning signs, from persistent cough and shortness of breath to swelling, and when to see a doctor.
Heart disease is still a silent killer that deserves attention. Several kinds of heart disease can be lurking. One of them is heart failure, in which the heart muscle can no longer pump blood to the whole body. Here are some symptoms that usually appear in heart failure.
Heart Failure Symptoms You Need to Watch For
- Persistent Cough or Wheezing
One symptom people with heart failure commonly have is a frequent, ongoing cough or wheeze. The cough is usually accompanied by white mucus, and in some cases even blood stains. This happens because fluid builds up in the lungs, which is clearly not a good sign.
- Shortness of Breath (Dyspnea)
According to Kompas.com, citing the American Heart Association, people with heart failure may feel short of breath, both during activity and at rest. It is not unusual for them to wake up at night short of breath. They may struggle to breathe when lying down and need pillows to prop up the body.
That is not all. These heart failure symptoms also lead sufferers to complain of tiredness and anxiety. The complaints come from blood backing up in the pulmonary veins, the blood vessels that carry blood from the lungs back to the heart, which makes fluid leak into the lungs.
- Fatigue
People with heart failure often feel tired all day, and it can make everyday activity hard. The heart cannot pump enough blood to supply all the body's tissues. As a result, the body sends blood away from less vital organs, such as the muscles, toward the brain and the heart.
- Fluid Buildup in Some Tissues
Edema, or excess fluid in the body, is also a symptom of heart failure. Parts of the body such as the ankles, legs and abdomen swell. Weight gain is also common. This happens because blood backs up toward the heart, which makes fluid accumulate.
- Reduced Appetite
The next symptom of heart failure is a falling appetite. Some people feel fuller than usual or even nauseous. Again, this is because some organs cannot receive enough blood. The same goes for the digestive system, which ends up with problems of its own.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is best to consult or get checked by a doctor right away. This is especially true if you have chest pain, fainting, severe shortness of breath or a rapid heartbeat. Sufferers must seek emergency care at once. These symptoms do not necessarily mean heart failure; they could also point to a threatening heart or lung condition.
One cardiologist who specializes in heart failure is dr Dicky Aligheri, who now practices at Heartology(https://heartology.id/). dr. Dicky Aligheri is a cardiologist with a subspecialty in Vascular & Endovascular Surgery and Heart Failure Surgery and Circulatory Support Instrumentation. Find his practice schedule and book an appointment online here.
