Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure

Many symptoms of heart failure result from the congestion that develops as fluid backs up into the lungs and leaks into the tissues. Other symptoms result from inadequate delivery of oxygen-rich blood to the body's tissues. Since heart failure can progress rapidly, it is essential to consult a physician immediately if any of the following symptoms are detected.

One of the most common symptoms of congestive heart failure is shortness of breath. This means that a person may become short-winded faster than they did before while doing their everyday, normal routines. Congestive heart failure patients often complain about shortness of breath while climbing flights of stairs or walking long distances. A congestive heart failure patient may get more tired than usual or their legs may feel weaker when doing their daily activities. In severe cases, congestive heart failure patients may have difficulty breathing just by walking to the refrigerator or simply taking a shower.

A dry, hacking cough, especially when lying down

Confusion, sleepiness and disorientation may occur in older people

Dizziness, fainting, fatigue or weakness

Fluid buildup, especially in the legs, ankles and feet

You may experience shortness of breath, either at rest or while performing any type of activity. This may include walking to the door, or climbing stairs.

You may have trouble lying flat in bed, and you may have to sleep on 2 or more pillows. Your shortness of breath may cause you to wake up in the middle of the night.

Although congestive heart failure usually affects both sides of the heart, in some people it affects only the left or right side. In these cases, symptoms vary depending on which side is affected. When heart failure affects mainly the left side of the heart, the symptoms are more likely to involve breathing difficulties. When mainly the right side is affected, the main symptoms may be leg and abdominal swelling.

The symptoms of congestive heart failure vary among individuals according to the particular organ systems involved and depending on the degree to which the rest of the body has "compensated" for the heart muscle weakness. An early symptom of congestive heart failure is fatigue. While fatigue is a sensitive indicator of possible underlying congestive heart failure, it is obviously a nonspecific symptom that may be caused by many other conditions. The person's ability to exercise may also diminish. Patients may not even sense this decrease and they may subconsciously reduce their activities to accommodate this limitation.

Fluid buildup in the lungs can also cause a cough. The cough is often worse at night and when you are lying down. Excessive fluid in the lungs can cause a life-threatening condition called acute pulmonary edema. This condition requires emergency treatment.

Along with edema of the lower extremities, the most common symptom of CHF is shortness of breath and often, fatigue, weakness, and the inability to perform physical activities. Weight gain from the excess fluid is another common symptom. Some people begin to cough up pinkish, blood-tinged sputum.

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