The Signs and Symptoms of Heart Failure



Heart failure is a serious medical condition that affects millions of people around the world. It occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications, including death. Knowing the signs and symptoms of heart failure can help you recognize it early and seek prompt medical treatment.

Common signs and symptoms of heart failure include:

• Shortness of breath: This is one of the most common signs of heart failure. It may be worse when lying down or during physical activity. You may also experience fatigue, chest pain, and a dry cough with foamy mucus that may be worse at night or in the morning.

• Swelling: Swelling in your feet, ankles, legs, abdomen or neck are all common signs of heart failure due to fluid buildup in your body caused by an inability for your heart to pump enough blood throughout your body effectively.

• Weight gain: Unexplained weight gain can be an indication that you are retaining fluids due to congestive heart failure. This can cause increased stress on your already weakened heart muscle as well as other organs in your body such as your kidneys and liver which will cause further complications if left untreated.

• Irregular heartbeat: An irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) is another sign that something isn't right with your cardiovascular system and could indicate an underlying issue such as congestive heart failure or coronary artery disease (CAD). Other symptoms associated with arrhythmias include dizziness, fainting spells or palpitations (a feeling like something is “fluttering” inside).

If you experience any of these signs and symptoms related to congestive heart failure, it's important to seek medical attention immediately so that proper diagnosis and treatment can be provided before further complications arise from this potentially life-threatening condition.

Tags:

Heart Failure, Shortness of Breath, Swelling, Weight Gain, Irregular Heartbeat, Arrhythmia, Dizziness, Fainting Spells, Palpitations,

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