Heart failure is a disease that prevents the heart from pumping enough blood, compromising its regular circulation. As a result, fluids accumulate in different areas of the body and that the amount of blood needed by the organs to meet the demand for oxygen and nutrients becomes inadequate. As heart failure progresses, this dysfunction worsens and causes symptoms to worsen, which may be sudden or develop slowly. It is very important to identify them early, because early diagnosis and proper management increase the chances of survival.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Recognizing the Symptoms of Heart Failure
Step 1. Learn about the symptoms of heart failure
It is important to recognize when heart failure progresses and worsens. However, to do this, the first step is to improve knowledge of the symptoms of this pathology. This way, you will be able to tell if they are getting worse or if you start to warn others.
Step 2. Assess your breathing
Listen to your breathing to see if it is more painful or weak than usual. Shortness of breath (otherwise referred to as "wheezing") is one of the most common symptoms of heart failure. When the left ventricle of the heart is unable to pump blood, it "returns" to the pulmonary veins (the vessels that make blood flow from the lungs to the heart after oxygenating them). The lungs become congested and fluid buildup occurs that prevents these organs from functioning normally, resulting in dyspnea.
- In the early stages, dyspnea occurs only after some effort. It is one of the first symptoms in most heart failure patients. Compare yourself with other people your age or compare your current level of physical activity with that of the previous 3-6 months to understand if you have had to change your lifestyle because you get air hungry when you are stressed.
- Pulmonary congestion can cause dry cough or breathlessness.
Step 3. Notice if you feel tired
In some cases, heart failure is not accompanied by symptoms of congestion, but by a reduction in cardiac output, which can present as excessive fatigue and physical weakness.
- When cardiac output is low, the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the needs of all tissues in the body. As a result, the body diverts blood from less vital organs, especially the muscles of the limbs, sending it to the more important ones, such as the heart and brain.
- This phenomenon involves weakness, fatigue and a feeling of constant tiredness, which complicates daily activities, such as shopping, climbing stairs, carrying shopping bags, walking or playing a sport such as golf.
Step 4. Notice if you have swelling
Often edema - the excessive accumulation of fluid in the body's tissues - is a symptom of heart failure. It occurs because the heart is unable to pump blood, resulting in it returning to the systemic veins (which carry blood from the whole body to the right side of the heart). Blood leaks into the tissues and causes swelling. They appear as:
- Swelling in the feet, ankles and legs. At first, you may find that the shoes fit tighter than usual.
- Swelling of the abdomen. You can feel compressed by the pants.
- Generalized swelling of the body.
- Weight gain.
Step 5. Notice if your heart rate is fast or irregular
Symptoms of heart failure may include a rapid heart rate (tachycardia) or an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia). It is important to note that both symptoms can also be complications of heart failure that can lead to cardiomyopathy, heart attacks and strokes.
Step 6. See your doctor
See your doctor if you notice these symptoms. If you experience any of the symptoms listed so far, you should go to your primary care physician for a visit and get a diagnosis.
Part 2 of 2: Recognizing the Symptoms of Worsening Heart Failure
Step 1. Learn the main factors that trigger a heart failure flare-up
Worsening usually occurs when a change in physical condition occurs that leads to an increase in work for a heart that is already weakened and unable to meet the demand for blood, even though it is beating harder or faster. Factors that aggravate the problem and strain the heart include:
- Improper use of heart medications;
- Development of a respiratory infection, such as pneumonia
- Excessive consumption of salt;
- Excessive consumption of liquids;
- Consumption of alcohol;
- Other conditions, such as uncontrolled hypertension, anemia, kidney failure and other heart dysfunctions, such as arrhythmia.
Step 2. Watch for worsening shortness of breath
Although wheezing or wheezing during or after exertion indicates heart failure, shortness of breath in situations that do not involve severe physical overload is indicative of a flare-up of heart failure. You may notice that your breathing becomes more labored even when you are busy with simple chores, such as getting dressed or moving around the house. Also, you may be out of air even while you rest. It is important to warn your doctor about these changes.
- Keep an eye out for air hunger while lying down or sleeping. This circumstance is perhaps the one that most clearly indicates heart failure and an immediate need for medical attention.
- You may suddenly wake up during sleep due to shortness of breath, possibly accompanied by a feeling of suffocation or drowning. These sensations can be so strong that they force you to stand upright, seek fresh air by opening a window, or sleep on pillows. These episodes usually occur at a specific time, usually 1-2 hours after you fall asleep, and symptoms last for 15-30 minutes once you get up.
Step 3. Notice if you experience a persistent cough or wheezing
Very severe and persistent coughing and shortness of breath, if they do not originate from a respiratory illness or cold, may indicate worsening of heart failure. You can also hiss as you breathe. In this case, it is real dyspnea. Wheezing occurs because the fluid deposited in the lungs blocks the airways.
If coughing produces white or pink phlegm, be aware that this is a normal reaction to this condition, especially if accompanied by dyspnea. You may notice that your cough gets worse when you lie down at night
Step 4. See if any parts of your body are swollen to see if you have edema
This is swelling that can cause pain or discomfort. You may also notice that the veins in your neck begin to swell, but also that you are unable to put your shoes on and that the swelling becomes more visible on the feet, ankles and legs.
In addition, there may be swelling in the abdomen due to fluid accumulation to the point where you begin to feel stomach symptoms, such as nausea, loss of appetite or constipation
Step 5. Notice if you are gaining weight
Weight gain is an important symptom, especially if you are already under observation for heart failure. If you experience an increase of more than 1 kg over the course of a day or more than 1.5 kg over three days, it could indicate worsening of heart failure (although it does not seem severe).
Monitor your figure by weighing yourself every day (preferably at the same time and without clothes), and write down the results in a notebook. In this way you will have less difficulty in identifying any weight gain and you can contact your doctor to find out what changes to make in your lifestyle in order to avoid a flare-up of the disease
Step 6. Pay attention to changes in the stomach or difficulties with digestion
If you have heart failure, the blood supply is diverted from the stomach and intestines to the heart and brain. This phenomenon can cause digestive problems, manifested by lack of appetite, early satiety and nausea.
You may also experience discomfort and pain in the upper right abdomen due to liver congestion
Step 7. Notice if you feel palpitations
The perception of the heartbeat is called palpitation and can be another symptom of this problem. Palpitations usually result from an increase in heart rate, whereby the heart appears to be racing or beating. They happen when the heart, pumping less blood, makes up for this decompensation by beating faster.
An increase in heart rate or an abnormal heartbeat is a worrying phenomenon, which can also be accompanied by lightheadedness and dizziness
Step 8. Be aware that you may experience excessive tiredness or the inability to exercise
In some cases, heart failure is not accompanied by symptoms of congestion, but by a reduction in cardiac output, which can present with excessive fatigue and physical weakness.
Pay attention to the details, especially what tires you (walking, climbing stairs, and so on) and the moment (for example, what time of day)
Step 9. Notice if you suffer from confusion and memory loss
Heart failure can also cause some neurological symptoms, due to the imbalance of certain substances in blood levels, particularly sodium. Among these neurological symptoms, you may experience confusion, short-term memory loss, and disorientation.
Generally, relatives or friends notice before the onset of this symptomatology, as it is very likely that the patient is too confused to be aware of it
Step 10. Seek medical attention if you notice these symptoms
If you experience any of the symptoms listed so far, you should call 911 and see a doctor immediately.
- Dealing with worsening heart failure early can mean the difference between life and death. If you do not act in time, you could suffer brain and physical damage or even death.
- Also be sure to contact your doctor, even if you are admitted to the emergency room.
Advice
Consult your doctor about what to do if you notice worsening symptoms. Get a phone number to call him as soon as you feel the need so he can advise you if you need to increase or decrease your drug intake, take a different drug, call the office or go to the emergency room
Warnings
- Keep in mind that the symptoms of worsening heart failure vary from person to person. You may experience some, but not others. It is important to stay in tune with your body and mind so that you can recognize the symptoms and act quickly.
- Often, when diagnosed with worsening heart failure, hospitalization is required in order for the heart to stabilize and be able to oxygenate the body again by pumping blood adequately.
