Your heart doesn't stop working; it continues to beat approximately 100,000 times each day, supplying oxygenated blood throughout your body. Unfortunately, many people suffer from weakening of the heart muscle, gradually developing heart failure before they experience any more severe symptoms (for example, chest pain or collapse). Heart failure is defined as when the heart muscle is no longer able to reliably pump blood. While some individuals only realize problems are occurring after experiencing gradual symptoms, many attribute the first signs of heart failure to normal aging, stress, or simply being "out of shape." By the time these individuals seek medical attention, their disease could well have advanced significantly. Recognizing the warning signs that your body gives can make all the difference in whether you are able to manage your condition or find yourself in an emergency situation. In this section, we examine four common yet often missed signs that indicate your heart may be failing-why you should be aware of these and how doing so could potentially save your life.
Constant Unexplained Fatigue and Weakness
Feeling fatigued after a long day at work or not getting enough rest is normal. However, if you experience fatigue on an ongoing basis (even after getting adequate sleep) it may be an indication that your heart has difficulty meeting your body's demands. As the ability of your heart to pump blood decreases, less blood flows to your extremities and other areas of your body, resulting in fatigue or heaviness. Even routine activities such as walking to work, carrying grocery bags, or climbing stairs can feel taxing.
Unexplained fatigue may differ significantly from tiredness. It is often described by those affected as feeling a profound sense of "heaviness" in their limbs or suddenly losing either endurance or energy during routine activities that were once easy to perform.The sensation of needing to sit down while completing chores, or frequently napping throughout the day without feeling rejuvenated after napping, may develop slowly over time. Because of the gradual progression of this particular symptom, many individuals adapt to the symptom through lifestyle modification, such as decreasing activity levels or neglecting their exercise routine, or denying this as a symptom due to thier age rather than treating the causes behind their fatigue. Particularly for the individual experiencing unexplained fatigue for an extended period (with or without accompanying other signs of heart disease), this should be investigated with a healthcare professional to rule out potential cardiac impairment causing inadequate blood flow supporting just day-to-day, basic activities.
Breathlessness During Daily Routines
Dyspnea (breathlessness) is among the classic signs/symptoms of heart failure, however it often presents itself early on into heart failure and typically, those exhibiting dyspnea can be found to ignore this symptom early on in their heart failure journey. Initially dyspnea may only be experienced during physical activity; for example, if engaging in brisk walking or climbing stairs, or carrying something heavy; however, as the heart becomes progressively weaker, the resultant build up of fluid in the lungs makes breathing harder and harder to do even with very slight physical exertion. A person with heart failure may find themselves gasping for breath after tying a shoelace, or having to stop every so often to catch their breath when trying to speak on the phone with someone.
The most acute symptom to look for would be "Orthopnea" (as defined by the medical community as breathlessness while lying down). Individuals with early heart failure may have to use multiple pillows to elevate their bodies so as to be able to breathe comfortably at night while lying down. They may suddenly awaken gasp for air, this is referred to as "Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea." Most commonly, when an individual experiences this type of episode, the individual is frightened and feel's as if they are choking; these episodes typically may be a result of the accumulation of fluid in the lungs as a result of the heart's inability to manage/control the fluid redistribution that occurs when an individual is lying down.Seek immediate medical attention if you notice difficulty breathing while sitting upright or if you have nighttime coughing or wheezing that you attribute to a cold or anxiety.
Swelling of limbs
Swelling of the feet, ankles and legs is sometimes called "Edema", but it is also an indication that your heart is not pumping efficiently enough to circulate blood properly. When the heart becomes weak, blood backs up into the veins and creates pressure that forces fluid from the blood out into surrounding tissues, then gravity pulls the fluid downwards into the feet, ankles and lower legs. This would cause your shoes to feel tighter by the end of the day and could leave deep impressions on the skin from your socks.
These swollen areas can be "pit"<|endofprompt|>Swelling in the lower extremities is an indication of possible heart failure; therefore, you should see a physician and be evaluated to identify the cause of the swelling. Treating heart failure early can help reduce fluid build-up, which can become life-threatening and cause damage to your lungs and/or organs.
Cough that will not go away
The cough may be a symptom of other health problems, such as allergies or a lingering cold; however, if you have a chronic cough, it could indicate that your lungs have become filled with fluid due to heart failure. When the heart's capacity to pump blood becomes weak, the blood pools in the lungs due to pressure from the weak heart. The blood seeps into your lungs and causes you to have a dry cough (which a person may call a "hacking cough") that may be worse when you are lying down (and in bed) compared to during the day.
You may experience other symptoms in conjunction with your cough. For example, you may experience wheezing or a feeling of tightness in your chest, which can resemble asthma or bronchitis. The cough may produce a frothy/pink-tinged sputum and if this is the case, you should seek immediate medical attention. Whenever you have a cough that persists despite taking over-the-counter cold or allergy medications, do not ignore it.
If you experience a change in your breathing pattern, such as shallow (less deep) breathing or feeling out of breath while talking, these symptoms together are indicative of heart failure. You should talk to your healthcare provider as soon as possible about your fatigue, cough, or difficulty breathing, especially if you are at high risk for developing heart failure due to your medical history.
These four signs: fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling in the extremities, and persistent cough can help detect heart failure at its early stages, as they are symptoms of a reduced pumping capacity of the heart. These four signs can often be attributed to aging or lack of exercise, and failing to seek treatment early could result in a delay in receiving life-saving treatment. If you notice any of the four signs mentioned above, especially if they occur together or worsen gradually, you should schedule an appointment with your physician. Simple tests (such as echocardiograms, blood tests, and chest X-rays) can help determine if you have heart failure. Heart failure is a chronic condition that can be managed with a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and supervision by your physician if diagnosed early enough. Remember that your body is trying to communicate with you about heart failure.
