Advanced heart failure is a major form of this fatal condition in which conventional heart treatment and symptom management strategies are no longer applicable. Since heart failure is a progressive condition and gets worse over time, it is important to understand the symptoms and what causes them, to seek medical help as soon as possible, to prevent it from progressing.
Some of the most common symptoms of advanced heart failure include:
shortness of breath One of the most common symptoms and leads to shortness of breath even during any physical activity, rest or sleep. Not only this, it appears suddenly and the person has to face difficulty in lying flat. As a result, they may need some form of upper body support while lying down and may even wake up feeling anxious, tired and restless.
Cause: The reason this symptom occurs is because blood starts backing up in the pulmonary veins, which are the vessels responsible for carrying blood back from the lungs to the heart. This occurs when the heart is unable to maintain its blood supply and causes fluid to leak into the lungs.
persistent cough or wheezing What produces white or pink blood-colored mucus is another symptom of advanced heart failure.
Cause: This symptom occurs when fluid accumulates in the lungs.
fatigue and tiredness It can make it very difficult to perform everyday tasks efficiently and can make a person feel tired all the time without any physical activity.
Cause: This symptom occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body. In such a situation, the body cuts off blood flow to the organs from less vital organs, including the muscles, and sends it to other vital organs such as the heart and brain.
edema Refers to the buildup of excess fluid in body tissues and can cause swelling in organs such as the feet, ankles, legs or abdomen. It can also lead to obesity, which further increases the chances of heart failure.
Cause: When the pumping of the blood slows down to the normal rate, it starts to return to the heart causing a build-up of fluid in the tissues. As a result, the kidneys do not function well and dispose of less sodium and water which is another cause of fluid retention in the tissues.
nausea and loss of appetite Another symptom is and can even feel sick to the stomach.
Cause: This symptom occurs when the digestive system receives less blood than it needs, leading to indigestion.
increased heart rate or heart palpitations Make someone feel like their heart is beating faster than the normal rate.
Reason: Since the heart is unable to pump blood properly, it starts beating faster to meet the needs of the body.
Since heart failure is a progressive disease, if left untreated, it can get worse and lead to heart failure. In this case the heart becomes weak and the treatment becomes more complicated. Therefore, it is recommended to pay attention to these symptoms in the early stages to seek medication and treatment that are not harsh on other organs. Ignoring these symptoms can also lead to fatal consequences in the future. Apart from these, it is important to follow a healthy lifestyle and diet.
-Dr Rajneesh Malhotra, Principal Director – Cardio Thoracic and Vascular Surgery Cardiac Sciences, Cardiac Surgery (CTVS), Max Hospital, Saket
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the doctor are his independent professional judgment and we do not take any responsibility for the accuracy of his views. It should not be considered as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your treating physician for further details.
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