Heart failure: The signs and symptoms you shouldn’t ignore

James Ampadu, MD

Cardiology

Every minute, someone is diagnosed with heart failure. You may know family members or friends with heart failure, or you may even suffer from heart failure yourself. Cardiologist James Ampadu, MD, explained what heart failure is and symptoms to look for.

What is heart failure?

Dr. Ampadu said the heart’s job is to pump blood to the body. If you are told you are at risk for heart failure, this means your heart is struggling to pump blood like it should to meet your body’s demands.

Some symptoms that could signal heart failure are:

• Shortness of breath when completing normal activities
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Decreased appetite
• Swelling
• Nausea
• Memory problems or confusion
• Elevated heart rate

“Don’t think these are a normal process of aging,” Dr. Ampadu said. “These are important things to make note of and talk to your primary care doctor or your cardiologist about.”

What causes heart failure?

Heart failure can be caused by other health conditions that damage and weaken the heart, including current or past conditions. Some examples include:

• Heart attack
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart defects
• High blood pressure
• Heart valve diseases
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Thyroid problems
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Certain chemotherapies

Who’s at risk for heart failure?

Age and genetics play a role, but these aren’t risk factors you can control. To lower your risk for heart failure, focus on reducing the following:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Blocked arteries
• Cardiovascular disease
• Obesity
• Alcohol use
• Tobacco use

“If you have any of the heart failure risk factors and experience any of the symptoms above, don’t ignore them. Talk to your doctor right away,” said Dr. Ampadu.