Symptoms of heart failure often begin slowly

At first, they may only occur when you are very active. Over time, you may notice breathing problems and other symptoms even when you are resting.

The Circulatory System and Congestive Heart Failure

Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure

Heart failure symptoms may also begin suddenly; for example, after a heart attack or other heart problem. Common symptoms are:

  • Cough.
  • Fatigue, weakness, faintness.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Need to urinate at night.
  • Pulse that feels fast or irregular, or a sensation of feeling the heartbeat (palpitations.)
  • Shortness of breath when you are active or after you lie down.
  • Swollen (enlarged) liver or abdomen.
  • Swollen feet and ankles.
  • Waking up from sleep after a couple of hours due to shortness of breath.
  • Weight gain.

Signs and Tests

Your health care provider will examine you for signs of heart failure:

  • Fast or difficult breathing.
  • Irregular or fast heartbeat and abnormal heart sounds.
  • Leg swelling (edema)
  • Neck veins that stick out (are distended).
  • Sounds (“crackles”) from fluid buildup in your lungs, heard through a stethoscope.
  • Swelling of the liver or abdomen.
  • An echocardiogram (echo) is often the best test to diagnose, learn the cause of, and monitor your heart failure. Your doctor will use it to guide your treatment.

Cardiology Tests

Imaging Tests that can be performed by a cardiologist

  • Cardiac stress tests.
  • Heart catheterization.
  • MRI of the heart.
  • Nuclear heart scans.
  • Lab tests are done to help your doctor.
  • Check how well your kidneys are working (BUN, creatinine, creatinine clearance, urinalysis.)
  • Look for a low blood count or anemia — complete blood count (CBC.)
  • Test for brain natriuretic peptide (BNP.)
  • Monitor sodium and potassium levels in your blood.

The Circulatory System and How The Heart Works

Congestive Heart Failure

Global Health Care – Heart & Heart Surgery Procedures

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