Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure
Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure: Introduction
Symptoms of congestive heart failure can vary between individuals and can differ depending on the severity of the disease and the underlying cause. In some cases, an individual may not have symptoms until the disease has progressed and become severe. Early symptoms can develop slowly.
The primary symptom of congestive heart failure is shortness of breath, which can occur at rest or with exertion. Shortness of breath often occurs when lying down and can interrupt sleep. It can be relieved to various degrees by sleeping in a semi-upright position.
Congestion and fluid in the lungs also leads to wheezing, chest pain, and an ongoing cough that brings up frothy phlegm that may be blood tinged. Fluid in the lungs also increases the risk of developing infections of the lungs, such as pneumonia, which can be fatal in some cases.
Symptoms can also include swelling (edema) of the feet, ankles, and legs. In severe cases, swelling can occur in the abdomen and arms as well. General symptoms include weakness, fatigue, and dizziness, confusion, restlessness, anxiety, and an alteration in consciousness, because the brain and body are not getting sufficient oxygen and nutrients to function properly. Paleness, or cyanosis, a bluish discoloration of the lips, feet and hands, may also occur.
Congestive heart failure is not always fatal, but serious complications can occur, including arrhythmias. Certain arrhythmias that may occur with congestive heart failure are fatal if not immediately treated and can result in cardiac arrest and death. Another life-threatening complication of congestive heart failure is acute pulmonary edema, in which large amounts of fluid accumulate in the lungs....more about Congestive Heart Failure »
Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure
The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources
for Congestive Heart Failure includes the 17
symptoms listed below:
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Congestive Heart Failure: Symptom Checkers
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Congestive Heart Failure: Symptom Assessment Questionnaires
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Congestive Heart Failure: Complications
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Do I have Congestive Heart Failure?
Congestive Heart Failure: Medical Mistakes
Congestive Heart Failure: Undiagnosed Conditions
Diseases that may be commonly undiagnosed in related medical areas:
Home Diagnostic Testing
Home medical tests related to Congestive Heart Failure:
- High Blood Pressure: Home Testing
- Heart Health: Home Testing:
- Allergies -- Related Home Tests
- Lung & Respiratory Health Tests:
- more home tests...»
Wrongly Diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure?
The list of other diseases or medical conditions
that may be on the differential diagnosis list of alternative diagnoses
for Congestive Heart Failure includes:
See the full list of 32
Congestive Heart Failure: Research Doctors & Specialists
- Cholesterol Specialists:
- Cardiac (Heart) Specialists:
- Lung Health Specialists (Pulmonologist):
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More about symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure:
More information about symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure and related conditions:
Other Possible Causes of these Symptoms
Click on any of the symptoms below to see a full list
of other causes including diseases, medical conditions, toxins, drug interactions,
or drug side effect causes of that symptom.
Article Excerpts About Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure:
Heart failure happens when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to
meet the demands of the body. Symptoms include shortness of breath, lung
sounds on examination, fluid retention, and fatigue. (Source: excerpt from Facts About Heart Failure in Older Adults: CDC-OC)
Congestive Heart Failure as a symptom:
For a more detailed analysis of Congestive Heart Failure as a symptom, including causes, drug side effect causes, and drug interaction causes, please see our Symptom Center information for Congestive Heart Failure.
Medical articles and books on symptoms:
These general reference articles may be of interest
in relation to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:
Full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis
About signs and symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure:
The symptom information on this page
attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure.
This signs and symptoms information for Congestive Heart Failure has been gathered from various sources,
may not be fully accurate,
and may not be the full list of Congestive Heart Failure signs or Congestive Heart Failure symptoms.
Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure may vary on an individual basis for each patient.
Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they
are indeed Congestive Heart Failure symptoms.
