Congestive Heart Failure Causes & Risk Factors

Conditions & Diseases: Cardiovascular System

Congestive Heart Failure

Signs & Symptoms

Common symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure include:

1. Normal day to day activities such as sweeping, vacuuming, and pushing a lawnmower may lead to shortness of breath, cough and feeling of tiredness (fatigue).

2. Exercise intolerance: The body needs oxygen and other nutrients during a physical activity. A mild physical exertion or intolerance to exercise is one of the major symptoms depicting a failing heart that cannot pump enough blood to provide nutrients to the body.

3. When the congestive heart failure worsens, fluid backs up into the lungs and interferes with oxygen getting into the blood causing dyspnea (difficulty in breathing). In severe cases a frothy, pink liquid may be coughed up by the patient.

4. A patient suffering from Congestive Heart Failure may awaken in the night due to shortness of breath and would require to sit up or stand up to get relief (nocturnal dyspnea).

5. Fluid build leads to sudden gain in weight, swelling of the legs, ankles and feet (edema).

6. Loss of appetite, indigestion, nausea and vomiting sensation.

7. Swelling of veins in the neck and abdomen.

8. Increased urination during nights (1), (3), (4) & (5).

Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com