Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is generally referred to as heart failure. When an individual’s heart is unable to pump an adequate amount of blood needed by his or her body, he or she is said to suffer from congestive heart failure condition.

Some diseases like hypertension can make your heart muscle weak or rigid. Your heart muscles may loose its flexibility. This may incapacitate your heart to function normally, resulting in CHF.

Congestive heart failure is of great concern for millions of people across the globe. It causes serious effects on almost every body parts of the person affected by CHF. In some cases, deaths can also occur. A person who has experienced a heart attack usually does not survive for too many years.

Experts believe that it is best to prevent the congestive heart failure. And in case you observe any of the symptoms associated with CHF, you must immediately seek medical help. It is very important to be aware of the different symptoms exhibited by the congestive heart failure.

Some people may not experience any symptom of CHF whereas some may experience mild symptoms. But some people affected with CHF experience severe symptoms. Some major congestive heart failure symptoms have been given below.

Due to congestive heart failure condition, very less blood is supplied to your kidneys. This results in fluid and water retention leading to swollen legs, ankles, abdomen and weight gain. It can also cause frequent urge for urination, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea and lack of appetite.

Congestion in lungs can give rise to shortness of breadth, fatigue, diminished ability to exercise, cough and wheezing. Sometime, the patient may not be able to sleep due to breathing problem. Sitting or standing may provide some relief. Another symptom of CHF is that the sufferer may have trouble in breathing, particularly when he/she is involved in physical activities. Fainting for no clear reason is yet another symptom of CHF.

When swelling becomes worse, the CHF patient may cough up a frothy and pink fluid. A person with chronic heart failure can experience symptoms such as irregular or rapid heartbeat, lack of concentration or decreased alertness, sudden weight gain, constant cough or wheezing with pink or white phlegm tainted with blood, and shortness of breadth while lying down or exercising.

You must see your doctor if you experience more than two symptoms mentioned above.