Symptoms of heart failure

At first, symptoms of heart failure may be absent although your internal pump is failing. Then gradually symptoms do occur because:

-    The body is not getting enough oxygen and nutrients.
-    Blood backs up into the lungs and body.
-    Compensatory responses occur, including tightening of the blood vessels and retaining of fluid in the body tissues, called oedema.

The earliest and most common symptoms of heart failure are lung or systemic congestion, which causes the following symptoms:

-    Shortness of breath while lying down that is relieved by sitting or standing up. A person may wake up coughing and/or wheezing, with a rapid heart rate, and the feeling of being suffocated. Difficult breathing and shortness of breath may occur during routine activities or exercise that did not previously cause breathing problems.
-    Dry, hacking cough, especially when lying down
-    Fluid build-up (oedema), especially in the legs, ankles, and feet
-    Dizziness, fainting, fatigue, or weakness
-    Rapid weight gain (due to fluid build-up)
-    Increased urination at night
-    Nausea, abdominal swelling, tenderness, or pain may result from fluid build-up in the abdomen
-    Swollen or distended neck veins

Reviewed by Dr AG Hall, July 2007.