Congestive heart Failure: Sign & Symptoms

 

Congestive heart Failure

Heart failure is the second leading cause of death among olders, with one out of every three deaths being caused by cardiovascular disease. Nearly one in three people over 65 years old suffer from some type of underlying cardiovascular condition. According to the latest findings, congestive heart failure accounts for more than half of all cases of heart failure around the world.

Symptoms

Heart failure symptoms include fatigue, sleep apnea (shortened breathing or difficulty falling asleep), dizziness, chest pain, increased heart rate, and mental acuity problems (a common symptom of depression). Symptoms are most likely to appear by age 75 or younger. There are several causes of heart failure. As blood flow decreases and pressure rises, the chambers slowly fill, eventually forcing the heart out of rhythm. Because the left ventricle is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body, any damage to this area can lead to a buildup of fluid that interferes with normal heart functions. Additionally, people with certain medical conditions such as heart valve disease and diabetes often have higher rates of heart failure.

Heart failure in children has been associated with genetic mutations, whereas in elders, it occurs due to unhealthy lifestyle choices and other factors like obesity and obesity-related inflammation (also referred to as atherosclerosis or hardening of arteries). It’s estimated that there are about 15% to 20% of children have developed heart failure before the age of 25 years, meaning they probably had heart failure in childhood. Despite these statistics, studies find no direct link between smoking cigarettes or not getting enough physical activity and developing heart failure, suggesting that genetics may be more important than lifestyle factors. In women, for example, researchers found that the mutation that leads to cysts on the female ovaries had a significant association with a lower risk of heart failure and heart failure when it was combined with the absence of menstrual periods. However, whether this discovery represents an actual cause for concern or just the result of our current era is unclear.

 

Heart failure usually presents in two main forms — reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, or LVEF, which refers to much air or blood is pushed out of the left ventricle into the extra ventricular space (the spaces below the lung) — and reduced pulmonary capillary oxygen diffusion capacity, or PODC, which refers to the amount of oxygen diffused across the alveoli. The severity of symptoms depends highly on the location of the heart. A patient with heart failure in the right ventricle may experience less severe symptoms like coughing and dyspnea. Patients in whom the heart muscle doesn't relax as well as in the left ventricle can also develop palpitations while passing blood from the brain. Pulmonary involvement, on the other hand, can lead to exertion dyspnea, coughing, chest pain, wheezing, hoarseness, and other respiratory symptoms. Lastly, patients with heart failure in which the muscles are abnormally tight, and the heart muscle isn’t working appropriately may develop abdominal discomfort.

This list is only indicative of the most common forms of heart failure, but you may be suffering several subtypes on your own if your heart has become inflamed due to other medical conditions, or if you have any signs of heart failure, including shortness of breath, fainting, lightheadedness, and nausea. You may also have other symptoms such as leg swelling, chest pain, loss of sense of balance, feeling tired, memory problems, and difficulty concentrating. If you suspect you have congestive heart failure, see your doctor immediately to rule out other possible medical conditions, complications from Covid-19 infection that may prevent you from accessing emergency care, or other treatment options — whether traditional or surgical.

If your symptoms are accompanied by any warning signs, contact your healthcare provider. Most tests will show that the test can be performed to help confirm the diagnosis. Other symptoms to watch when trying for early detection include the following:

Feeling faint, like having a rapid pulse, racing, or pounding blood cells. This can occur suddenly, without prior warning, or gradually, and even with exercise.

This can occur suddenly, without prior warning, or gradually, and even with exercise. Feeling very weak or shaky. Feelings of weakness or dizziness make it difficult to move. Your hands shake or shake back and forth a lot as well.

Feelings of weakness or dizziness make it difficult to move. Your hands shake or shake back and forth a lot as well. Having trouble swallowing. Roughly 80% of sufferers report regaining their ability to swallow. The other 20% report experiencing difficulties swallowing fluids. These swallowing difficulties often last longer than you would expect. In rare cases, some have reported a complete inability to speak, which can affect the quality of communication.

Roughly 80% of sufferers report regaining their ability to swallow. The other 20% report experiencing difficulties swallowing fluids. These swallowing difficulties often last longer than you would expect. In rare cases, some have reported a complete inability to speak, which can affect the quality of communication. Being unable to talk. Roughly 40% of sufferers report that they have a full or near-full inability to talk. 

Roughly 40% of sufferers report that they have a full or near-full inability to talk. Roughly 80% of sufferers report nausea, either because of vomiting after meals or from any other cause. Sufferers may describe the sensation as a ‘nausea bomb.’ Many feel nauseated or vomit during the day. More than 30% of sufferers have a ‘very low backache,’ and more than 60% of sufferers have headaches as a result of migraines.

Sufferers may describe the sensation as a ‘nausea bomb.’ Many feel nauseated or vomit during the day. Many feel nausea or vomiting after meals. More than 30% of sufferers have a ‘very low backache,’ and more than 60% of sufferers have headaches as a result of migraines. Getting frequent colds or flu. Roughly 30% of sufferers experience at least three cold or flu episodes in a year, compared to 0% of healthy individuals.

Roughly 30% of sufferers experience at least three cold or flu episodes in a year, compared to 0% of healthy individuals. Experiencing frequent fatigue. Roughly 30% of sufferers experience at least three fatigue episodes every week. At least 10% of sufferers report frequent fatigue episodes.

Roughly 30% of sufferers experience at least three fatigue episodes every week. At least 10% of sufferers report frequent fatigue episodes. Passing blood clots. Roughly 30% of sufferers experience at least three blood clots each week. Nearly half of the affected suffer from strokes as a consequence of blood clots in their veins.

Roughly 30% of sufferers experience at least three blood clots each week. Nearly half of the affected suffer from strokes as a consequence of blood clots in their veins. Fainting’s or dizziness or lightheadedness. Roughly 40% of sufferers experience at least three brief episodes of fainting or dizziness. Of the many reasons people with congestive heart failure can fall unconscious, sufferers describe a lack of oxygen or high levels of carbon dioxide (called hypercapnia) in their blood. However, sufferers who can recover often don’t regain consciousness. This can take hours, days, or even weeks before their health improves. Others can remain conscious and lucid for weeks. Some sufferers can still wake and move independently. Those who wake partially with their eyes open may need support to sit and stand or move around. While you should ask your doctor if bed rest is necessary, it’s often best to avoid doing so if possible.

 

Diagnoses of heart failure

Heart failure is diagnosed through physical examination, lab tests, and imaging studies. An electrocardiogram (ECG) allows doctors to measure electrical activity in the heart by measuring its electrical output and electric current. Blood tests like troponin and B-type troponin are used to detect changes in liver function, and echocardiography shows the heart muscle contracts. If you have persistent symptoms of shortness of breath, an EKG can check that your heart muscle is slowing down. While this is only the beginning of diagnostics, it’s often enough to determine if you have congestive heart failure and start the course of treatment.

Symptoms of congestive heart failure include the following:

• Ø Persistent feelings of tiredness or dyspnea
• Ø Frequent vomiting and diarrhea
• Ø Mild dysuria
• Ø Pain while urinating
• Ø Dizziness, nausea, and nausea
• Ø Feeling faint or losing consciousness
• Ø Difficulty speaking
• Ø Difficulty maintaining consciousness
• Ø Delayed reflex responses
• Ø Delayed ability to perform activities (e.g. walking or dressing)
• Ø Unexplained weight gain
• Ø Delayed mental clarity
• Ø Fever or sweating
• Ø Shaky hands or feet
• Ø Aches and pains in the feet
• Ø Clifford's toes or Achilles tendon
• Ø Wrist pain
• Ø Delayed bowel function
• Ø Nausea or vomiting, diarrhea or colostomy time
• Ø Sleep apnea
• Ø Coughing or difficulty breathing, especially during sleep
• Ø Chest pain, pain during breathing or coughing
• Ø Persistent, long-term cough