Heart failure (HF) doesn’t mean your heart has failed, only that it isn’t pumping as well as it should. A weakened heart cannot keep up its workload. It’s not able to pump as much blood and oxygen to support other organs in your body. As a result, you become tired and short of breath; you may even cough. HF, also known as congestive heart failure, makes everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, or carrying groceries hard to do because of shortness of breath.
IN THIS BLOG:
1. What is heart failure and does it mean the heart has stopped?
No. Heart failure (HF) means the heart isn’t pumping as well as it should. It does not mean the heart has stopped beating. A weakened heart can’t pump enough blood and oxygen to support other organs, causing symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and coughing.
2. What are the early warning signs of heart failure?
Early symptoms can be hard to notice and often develop gradually. Signs include shortness of breath, swelling in the feet or abdomen, fatigue, coughing or wheezing with mucus, rapid heartbeat, and confusion. Sudden weight gain or trouble breathing at night are also common indicators.
3. What conditions can lead to heart failure?
Heart failure often results from other health issues that damage the heart or make it work harder. These may include past heart attacks, abnormal heart valves, arrhythmias, heart defects, low red blood count, and hyperthyroidism.
4. What lifestyle changes help manage heart failure?
To manage HF, follow your doctor’s medication plan, reduce salt, monitor fluids, stop smoking, maintain a healthy weight, eat heart-healthy foods, limit caffeine and alcohol, exercise regularly, manage stress, monitor blood pressure, and get enough sleep.
5. Should I see a doctor if I have multiple symptoms?
Yes. If you have more than one symptom of heart failure, like shortness of breath, swelling, or fatigue, contact your doctor and ask for a heart evaluation. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to managing the condition effectively.
HF is a serious, progressive, long-term condition, but it doesn’t mean your heart has stopped beating. Many people with HF can lead a full, enjoyable life. You can manage, slow, and prevent the progression of HF by making healthy lifestyle choices.
You probably won’t notice the symptoms of heart failure when it first begins. It usually develops from the added stress of health conditions that damage the heart or make it work too hard. The heart will enlarge or stretch so it can contract more strongly and pump more blood through your body. But, an enlarged heart can cause the body to retain fluid, causing the heart to beat irregularly. View this helpful animation of heart failure from the American Heart Association.
Heart failure also affects your kidneys, making it harder for them to get rid of water and salt. This causes swelling and makes the heart pump faster to increase the output of blood. The body tries to compensate by narrowing blood vessels to keep blood pressure up and diverting blood away from other organs and tissues. Heart failure progresses and worsens as your body’s “workarounds” become less effective over time.
Some conditions may make your heart work harder.
If you have heart failure, chances are, you have (or had) one or more other conditions that cause “wear and tear” to your heart. You may not know you have some of these symptoms. The American Heart Association recommends talking to a healthcare professional about tests you can take to figure out if you have any of these conditions:
- Past heart attack
- Abnormal heart valves
- Heart muscle disease
- Heart defects present at birth
- Low red blood count
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)
- Abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
Get help with these symptoms.
If you have more than one of these symptoms, contact your doctor and ask for a heart evaluation. The most common HF symptoms are:
- Shortness of breath can happen during activity, or at rest or while sleeping. If you have trouble breathing while lying flat, try propping yourself up on pillows. You may wake up feeling tired because you didn’t get enough oxygen while sleeping.
- Swelling, especially in the feet, ankles, legs, or belly area; may include weight gain; discomfort in the belly area
- Weight gain of more than three pounds in a day; or five pounds in a week
- Coughing or wheezing that produces white, pink, or blood-tinged mucus; may have a dry cough
- Feeling very tired or lightheaded – everyday activities tire you out, or you’re tired after exertion or exercise
- Weakness
- Nausea or feeling full; lack of appetite
- High heart rate; heart feels like it is racing or you have palpitations
- Confusion, trouble thinking or feeling disoriented
Treatment options
There are several kinds of medicine that help treat heart failure. Each one treats a different symptom, and you may require a different combination of medicines than someone else with heart failure. It’s important to take the medicine exactly as your doctor tells you.
Each medicine can have unwanted side effects. The more medicine you take, the greater your chances of side effects. Tell your doctor about all the side effects you experience, especially when new medicines are added, changes are made, or dosages are adjusted.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Heart Association (AHA) recommend these lifestyle changes to help reduce heart failure symptoms:
- Taking your medicine exactly as your doctor tells you
- Reducing salt in your diet by eating low-salt foods
- Tracking how much liquid you drink. Heart failure can make you retain liquid, and your doctor may tell you to limit the amount of liquids you drink.
- Quit smoking. Nicotine increases your heart rate and blood pressure and reduces the amount of oxygen-rich blood circulating in your body.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight raises your blood pressure and cholesterol. Sudden weight gain or loss can mean your heart failure is progressing. Weigh yourself at the same time each morning. If you gain three or more pounds in a day or five or more pounds in one week, tell your doctor right away.
- Limit alcohol to no more than two drinks a day for men; no more than one drink per day for women. If you don’t drink alcohol, don’t start.
- Limit caffeine to no more than a cup or two of coffee per day; limit caffeine from tea and soft drinks, too.
- Eat healthy by reducing foods that are high in salt, saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol, especially junk foods full of fat, salt, and calories. Instead, eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and lean meat and poultry.
- Get moving , either with daily exercise (get your doctor’s permission) or a structured cardiac rehab program. Find an activity you enjoy and exercise with a friend for extra motivation. Walking can improve your strength and energy level.
- Manage stress with exercise, meditation, yoga or Tai Chi, prayer, listening to music, or whatever works for you.
- Monitor your blood pressure at home and record it to show to your doctor.
- Get enough sleep every night. Elevate your head, avoid naps and big meals before bedtime, and discuss any sleeping problems with your doctor.
- Keep up with your shots and other health screenings. Get a flu shot every year, and if you are over 65, ask about pneumonia shots. Regular checkups with your doctor are also important.
- Select appropriate clothing by avoiding tight socks or stockings (thigh-high or knee-high hose) because they can slow blood flow to the legs and cause clots. Avoid temperature extremes by dressing in layers so you can adjust your temperature.
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