In severe cases, a cough might produce white or pink blood-tinged mucus, indicating fluid in the lungs. This reduced blood flow signals the kidneys to retain sodium and water, causing fluid to accumulate in the tissues. This congestion can cause fluid to leak into the lung tissue, making it difficult for oxygen to pass into the bloodstream. Shortness of breath, also known as dyspnea, is one of the earliest and most common symptoms of heart failure.
Right-sided heart failure
Amy Scanlon, MD, FACC, is a practicing private practice cardiologist at Consultants in Cardiology and the current team cardiologist for Seton Hall University. Always consult with healthcare professionals for personalized advice and treatment plans. Shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling, and persistent cough or wheezing are key indicators that your heart might be struggling. This symptom is often mistaken for respiratory issues, but it can be a direct result of heart problems. Additionally, poor circulation can cause blood to pool in the lower extremities, further contributing to swelling. Report any sudden changes to your health care team.
Heart failure testing
That cycle gets even uglier with heart failure because dehydration causes strain and increases your heart rate. Sometimes, people brush this off as a sign of aging, says Dr. Quinones-Camacho, or drinking too much water close to bedtime. But with heart failure, it can’t keep up, and that can cause more shortness of breath, says Dr. Greenfield.
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When your heart isn’t operating properly, it pumps less blood to your kidneys, and as a result, that organ compensates by retaining fluid. Since heart failure affects how well this elegant system operates, shortness of breath is a major sign of trouble, says Dr. Greenfield. A heart that’s failing can’t pump enough blood to keep it moving throughout your body. If you have heart failure, your heart struggles to pump out all the fluid that the veins return.
You’re extremely tired
Here are four signs that your heart could be in trouble and when it’s time to consult a cardiologist like Dr. Raghav Sharma. Understanding the warning signs of heart trouble can help you take prompt action and seek medical attention before it’s too late. Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure (CHF), occurs when the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the body’s needs. This table lists the most common signs and symptoms of heart failure, why they happen and how to recognize them. However, several commonly used prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements can interact dangerously to intensify heart failure symptoms. When the heart doesn’t have enough pumping power to force used blood back up from the lower extremities, fluid can collect in the ankles, legs, thighs, and abdomen.
When that happens, not enough blood may be reaching your brain, and that can lead to symptoms like dizziness, mild disorientation, confusion, or even challenges with memory and concentration. Even though the heart prioritizes brain function when there’s an issue, heart failure might be caused by a circulation problem, according to Dr. Greenfield. Another area of the body the heart considers non-vital when there’s trouble? This rapid weight gain is often mistaken for fat accumulation, but it’s actually “water weight” from fluid retention, says Dr. Quinones-Camacho.
- Excess fluid can also cause rapid weight gain.
- No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
- We help you learn to track your symptoms so you know what steps to take when.
- A typical heart has two upper and two lower chambers.
A racing, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat—also known as heart palpitations—can be an alarming sign of an underlying heart condition. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult a cardiologist for a thorough evaluation and diagnosis. When the heart is not functioning properly, fluid can build up in the lungs, leading to difficulty breathing. One of the most obvious signs of heart trouble is chest pain, often described as a squeezing, pressure, or fullness in the chest.
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- Proper treatment may improve the symptoms of heart failure and may help some people live longer.
- When you cough, you may expel white or pink mucus (i.e., due to blood).
- Everything else gets less than the normal amount of blood and oxygen.
- If you have heart failure, it’s important to manage and keep track of symptoms.
If you have heart failure, it’s important to have regular health checkups, even if symptoms improve. The lower chambers, the more muscular right and left ventricles, pump blood out of the heart. At the emergency room, healthcare professionals do tests to learn if your symptoms are due to heart failure or something else. See your healthcare professional if you think you might have symptoms of heart failure. If you have heart failure, your heart can’t supply enough blood to meet your body’s needs. Some may need a heart transplant or a device to help the heart pump blood.
In addition to the physical exam, doctors have two other important tools to spot the presence of heart failure. It may also be harder to breathe when lying down, because gravity allows fluid from below the lungs to travel up the torso. People with heart failure are often unable to do their normal activities because they become easily tired and short of breath. Most often, the damage stems from coronary artery disease or heart attack.
Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox! No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. To be on the safe side, make sure all of your medical providers have a complete list of all the medicines you take.
Health topicsheart health center This may include lifestyle changes, such as losing vegas casino download weight, getting more exercise, changing your diet, and taking medications. Consult a physician or call your cardiologist whenever you have a change in body function that doesn’t resolve quickly. Everything else gets less than the normal amount of blood and oxygen. When the heart has to work extra hard, it diverts the blood stream to concentrate on essential organs, such as the heart and brain.
While some degree of vitality loss can be attributed to natural aging, fatigue and breathlessness may also be signals that your heart is not functioning as well as it should. Nighttime light exposure linked to heart disease That could be another symptom of a circulation issue, potentially brought on by heart failure.
Managing Heart Failure
“Heart failure is a very common disease, but we have great treatments for it and you shouldn’t be afraid.” Additionally, an electrocardiogram, or EKG, may be done to track the electrical impulses of your heart, measuring rhythm, strength and timing. First is a BNP blood test, which Dr. Berkowitz and others developed about 20 years ago. Your healthcare professional can examine you and run tests to check for complications.
Confirming the Diagnosis
But it can be treated, often with strategies to improve symptoms. Heart failure caused by damage to the heart that has developed over time can’t be cured. Once the initial diagnosis is confirmed, further testing may be needed to figure out what’s causing the heart’s dysfunction and determine the best treatment approach.
Heart failure
Experiencing shortness of breath during physical activity, or even at rest, can be a sign that your heart is struggling to pump blood efficiently. It occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently, causing fluid to back up into the lungs. By themselves, these five warning signs do not confirm a diagnosis of heart failure, but they do convey a sense of urgency to seek medical advice, says Dr. Mehra.
The fluids might also cause you to wheeze or cough. You might find yourself propping up the pillow at night to elevate your head so it’s easier to breathe while you sleep. This causes blood to back up in the pulmonary (i.e., lung) veins.
The lower right heart chamber is called the right ventricle. Heart failure usually begins with the lower left heart chamber, called the left ventricle. Heart failure can be caused by a weakened, damaged or stiff heart. The upper chambers, the right and left atria, receive incoming blood. A typical heart has two upper and two lower chambers.
A heart in heart failure struggles (and fails) to get its job done. Shortness of breath may not stem from your lungs; it could be related to your heart. Aging raises your risk for heart failure However, a recent trend has seen the number of heart failures increase in younger patients. When the left side of your heart can’t contract, pump, or fill properly, that damages the right side.