What are the symptoms of congestive heart failure?

Congestive heart failure is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition in which the heart can no longer pump enough blood throughout the body. Symptoms of congestive heart failure can vary depending on how advanced your condition is, with common signs including:

• Shortness of breath (especially during physical activity or when lying down)
• Reduced ability to exercise
• Swelling of the legs, feet and/or abdomen (due to fluid buildup)
• Severe fatigue or weakness
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Coughing up phlegm/white foam
• Confusion
• Poor appetite or nausea
If you experience any of these symptoms it's important that you seek medical advice from your doctor as quickly as possible. They will be able to run some tests to determine if your symptoms are caused by congestive heart failure. Diagnosis usually involves an X-ray, ECG, echocardiogram and other imaging techniques designed to assess the size and function of your cardiovascular system.