Heart failure can worsen rapidly. The following is a list of heart failure symptoms and what they mean.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms you may need to contact your heart failure team or call 911 right away.
Shortness of breath. Fluid could be collecting in your lungs
Sudden weight gain or loss. Your body is holding on to extra fluid, getting rid of too much fluid, or you have lost your appetite.
Loss of appetite. Swelling in your intestines and liver can cause pain and can make it difficult for your body to absorb nutrients or drugs from the digestive tract.
Fatigue. Your heart isnt delivering enough oxygen-rich blood to your tissues.
Cough and wheezing. Fluid is collecting in your lungs.
Swelling. Your body is holding on to excess sodium and fluid (in feet, legs, abdomen).
Increased heart rate. Stress hormones released when pumping gets weaker causing your heartbeat to speed up, giving the feeling that your heart is racing or throbbing or that your heart rhythm has noticeably changed. Medications and irregular heart rhythms can also cause this.
Sleep problems. Fluid collecting in the lungs makes breathing difficult when youre lying down.
