Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms

Congestive Heart Failure: Introduction

Congestive heart failure (CHF) or congestive cardiac failure (CCF) is a condition where your heart loses its ability to a certain degree in meeting your body’s demand of adequate blood circulation.

This weak pumping of blood leads to fluid buildup (congestion) in your lungs and in body tissues. Incidence of congestive heart failure is common in old people. Men are more at risk for developing this condition than women.

What are the Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms?

The symptoms and signs associated with CHF can vary among those affected. This largely depends on the organ affected, and how your body reacts and compensates to the heart muscle weakness.

Signs and symptoms for congestive heart failure:

• Shortness of breath (becomes marked on exertion)
• Decrease in concentration or alertness
• Rapid/irregular pulse
• Indigestion
• Loss of appetite
• Coughing
• Weight gain (due to fluid retention in the body)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Decreased urine output
• Difficulty in sleeping
• Swollen neck veins
• Pain in the chest
• Swelling of feet and ankles
• Weakness, fatigue or faintness
• Palpitations
• Need to urinate at night
• Swollen abdomen

Suffering from CHF does not mean your heart has stopped functioning. It is a condition where tissues of your body receive inadequate blood and oxygen for a temporary period.

You may not even be aware of such a decrease as your body can subconsciously reduce activities in response to this limitation. Moreover, your ability to exercise may decrease too.

Nonetheless, it is one of the serious health conditions that need to be attended at the earliest, especially after congestive heart failure signs have been diagnosed.

Fatigue is among one of the early indicative symptoms of CHF. While fatigue may be an important indication of possible underlying congestive heart failure, it can also be a result of other health conditions.

If you suspect you have congestive heart failure symptoms, get yourself checked medically. Follow your doctor’s advice and treatment plan. Maintain a diet that is high in fiber, low in salt and fat content.