5 Signs of Heart Failure

By siliconindia   |   Wednesday, 14 September 2011, 00:10 IST
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Bangalore: Are you afraid of that serious damage to your heart which may even cause death? The symptoms of heart failure can be difficult to identify and describe, and it is often diagnosed quite late. Heart failure does not necessarily mean that the heart has failed, a heart failure means that the heart is not pumping blood around the body efficiently and the symptoms can be severe. Signs and symptoms include tachycardia and manifestations of venous congestion, shortness of breath, leg swelling etc. Here is a list of most common signs and symptoms of heart failure, explains why they occur and describes how to recognize them. Consult your doctor immediately if you have more than one of these symptoms, even if you haven't been diagnosed with any heart problems before. Change in Appetite With heart failure you may experience a loss or change in appetite, or feelings of "I am not hungry". Some people have a feeling of being full or sick even if they have eaten very little. You might also notice nausea, constipation, a general feeling of being sick to the stomach, or abdominal pain and tenderness. It happens mainly due to the fluid buildup around the liver and intestines interfering with digestion. In addition, heart failure causes people to feel full quickly because of fluid retention and swelling. Varied Palpitation This is one of the most telling symptoms of heart failure. You should consult your doctor if your palpitation bothering you a lot. Fast, shallow breathing, racing thoughts, sweaty palms, and a rapid heart rate are all signs of varied palpation and anxiety. Congestion around the chest and lungs causes strange sensations throughout the body that are confusing and frightening. The best way you can reduce palpitation rate is not to judge or resist your thoughts, simply let go of the thoughts wishing your heart would slow down. Shortness of Breath while Sleeping or Lying Down Shortness of breath is one of the characteristic symptoms of heart failure, it will make you wake up during the night or in the morning feeling as if you can't breathe deeply or can't catch your breath. Shortness of breath is caused mainly due to fluid accumulation and congestion in the lungs. Wet lungs cannot exchange oxygen easily after exercise and heavy works but if your heart failure progresses you may feel breathless when resting as well. Try supporting yourself with pillows so you are lying in a more upright position. If you still experience consistent breathlessness at night consult your doctor. Dress and Shoes Feels Tight Fluid accumulation with swelling is one of the primary symptoms of heart failure, since the swelling can occur in many areas of the body it can be difficult to recognize. It may cause swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, and occasionally, the abdomen. Excess fluid retained by the body may result in weight gain. If your tummy swells first, you may notice an overhanging belly or a shirt with straining buttons that once fit. Coughing Coughing is another primary symptom of heart failure. Coughing can occur in different forms when related to heart failure. Either it can be a wet, frothy cough that can be tinged pink with blood or a dry, hacking cough that doesn't expel mucous. Sometimes patient may even wake up in the middle of the night gasping and coughing. You will feel a tickle or irritation in the lungs, or fluid in the lungs that needs to come up. A cough associated with heart failure will eventually become chronic, but at first it may come and go. Coughing is also frequently a side effect of a type of medication that's frequently prescribed for heart failure.