Q. What are the early signs of congestive heart failure?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
The earliest signs of congestive heart failure (CHF) are often easy to miss, as they are typically mild and may even feel like normal fatigue or shortness of breath. Some key indicators include:
Increased swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet – This is due to a buildup of fluid around the heart which can cause blood to back up into other areas (hence the term “congestive”). It can worsen later on when accompanied by a hacking cough or breathing difficulty.
Abnormal weight gain – Unexplained weight gain that doesn’t correspond with any changes in lifestyle habits is another warning sign that something might be wrong with your heart health.
Difficulty sleeping – If you can’t seem to get comfortable enough in bed for a good night's rest it could possibly be linked to an underlying CHF issue. Remember this symptom often occurs together with difficulty breathing when lying down flat (orthopnea).
Frequent tiredness– Tiredness shouldn't be confused with regular fatigue; feeling constantly tired without having taken part in any strenuous physical activity may point towards something being off balance kardiovasculary speaking.
5 Weak pulses – A decrease in circulation means there isn’t enough blood flowing through our body thus making pulses weak/non-existent at certain parts of our body i..e extremities such as arms and legs etc.
If you have noticed any changes recently don't hesitate visiting a doctor right away so they help figure out exactly what's going on inside your cardiovascular system before it gets too late!