Congestive heart failure is a condition wherein the heart is too weak to pump blood to the body. Statistics show that over five million Americans are suffering from heart failure. More than half a million new cases of heart failure are being diagnosed each year. The good news is that heart failure and its symptoms are treatable, even at an advanced stage. Below is a guide on how to recognize the symptoms of congestive heart failure.
- Dyspnea and orthopnea. People with heart failure experience shortness of breath during any activity, even when sleeping. This happens because the heart cannot pump enough blood supply to the lungs, causing fluids to leak into the lungs. The fluids accumulating in the lungs make it difficult to breathe properly.
- Persistent cough or wheezing. If you see any white-tinged or pink mucus on your handkerchief the next time you cough, it's advisable to pay your doctor a visit because you might have heart failure. Again, the explanation for this symptom is that fluids accumulate in the lungs, making it harder for the patient to breathe. By coughing or wheezing, the body is able to get oxygen into the body.
- Edema. This is referred to as the buildup of excess fluid in the body tissues. This happens because the blood that is supposed to return to the heart backs up, causing fluids to build up in the tissues. As a result, the ability of tissues and organs to dispose of water and sodium are compromised. A person with heart failure will notice swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen. Weight gain is also a symptom of heart failure.
- Fatigue/Tiredness. People suffering from heart failure feel tired all the time and find it difficult to carry out daily activities such as shopping, climbing stairs, carrying groceries, or walking. This is because the muscles in the limbs do not get enough supply of blood. The body, recognizing that the heart finds it difficult to pump blood, prioritizes supplying blood to more vital organs of the body, including the brain.
- Lack of appetite and nausea. The digestive system gets prioritized last when the body diverts the blood pumped by the heart. As a result, a failing heart usually means that the body will not be able to carry out the digestion process properly. People with heart failure will notice that they feel full most of the time or, in severe cases, feel abdominal pain.
- Confusion and impaired thinking. As the body's chemical balance changes, the brain's function will likely be affected, too. Heart failure is known to cause memory loss and feelings of disorientation.
- Heart palpitations. The heart, knowing that its pumping capacity has declined, will compensate by beating faster. As a result, a person with heart failure will feel like his or her heart is racing and throbbing.
These are the common symptoms of heart failure. If you recognize two or more of these signs, you should pay a visit to your doctor.
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