live healthier lifestyles, impacting the timing of their diagnoses, Goyfman adds. He says that many heart failure diagnoses might also have been incorrect, with other conditions — asthma, emphysema or general poor health, for example — possibly to blame for symptoms.
Still, “this study does bring attention to an important topic and highlights the possible need for interventions such as improved education to care providers for recognizing symptoms of heart failure and referring to cardiologists as appropriate,” Goyfman says.
Symptoms
Heart failure can be ongoing (chronic), or it may start suddenly (acute).
Watch out for the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down
- Fatigue and weakness
- Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Reduced ability to exercise
- Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged mucus
- Swelling of the belly area (abdomen)
- Very rapid weight gain from fluid buildup
- Nausea and lack of appetite
- Difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness
- Chest pain if heart failure is caused by a heart attack
If you experience any of these symptoms, do not diagnose yourself because they can be signs of another serious condition and not heart failure.
However, you should contact your doctor right away. Spotting the signs early can help you get the proper treatment before your condition gets any worse.