Can I have heart failure and not know it?

If you have heart failure, you may not have any symptoms, or the symptoms may range from mild to severe. Symptoms can be constant or can come and go. Heart failure symptoms are related to the changes that occur to your heart and body, and the severity depends on how weak your heart is.

Can a patient have heart failure without being aware of it?

So when patients develop symptoms we call it congestive heart failure. Many people don't even know they have it because symptoms are often mistaken for signs of getting older. Heart failure does not develop overnight – it's a progressive disease that starts slowly and gets worse over time.

Is heart failure obvious?

Heart failure symptoms aren't always obvious. Some people in the very early stages of heart failure may have no symptoms at all. Others may dismiss symptoms like fatigue or shortness of breath as signs of growing older. Sometimes, however, heart failure symptoms are more obvious.

What is one of the first signs of heart failure?

Heart failure signs and symptoms may include: Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down. Fatigue and weakness. Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet.

How long can heart failure go undetected?

Comorbidities mean spotting heart failure can take even longer. Dr Bottle and colleagues found that among people diagnosed with heart failure, those who also had COPD waited on average 1,189 days from the onset of symptoms to receive a diagnosis – over a third longer than those without COPD, at 888 days.

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Can you have heart failure for months?

Symptoms can develop quickly (acute heart failure) or gradually over weeks or months (chronic heart failure).

How do you confirm heart failure?

A test called an echocardiogram is often the best test to diagnose your heart failure. Your doctor can also use this test to find out why you have heart failure, and then monitor your condition going forward every three to six months.

What is the earliest symptom of left heart failure?

Shortness of breath with walking or bending over. Waking up short of breath or unable to lie flat at night. Weight gain. Swelling (edema) in your ankles, legs or abdomen.

What age does heart failure usually start?

Heart failure can happen at any age. It happens to both men and women, but men often develop it at a younger age than women. Your chance of developing heart failure increases if: You're 65 years old or older.

What does heart failure feel like?

Patients may feel a fluttering in the heart (palpitations) or a heartbeat that seems irregular or out of rhythm. This often is described as a pounding or racing sensation in the chest. Lack of Appetite or Nausea When the liver and digestive system become congested they fail to receive a normal supply of blood.

What mimics heart failure?

Chronic kidney disease can look like heart failure. Both diseases cause fluids to backup, leading to swelling, or edema, in your lower extremities, meaning in your legs and feet. Fluid can build up in the lungs, as well, in both diseases, leading to (once again) shortness of breath.

Can heart failure just go away?

Heart failure is a serious condition, and usually there's no cure. But many people with heart failure lead a full, enjoyable life when the condition is managed with heart failure medications and healthy lifestyle changes. It's also helpful to have the support of family and friends who understand your condition.

Can a doctor detect congestive heart failure by listening to your heart?

Your doctor can listen to your lungs for signs of fluid buildup (lung congestion) and your heart for whooshing sounds (murmurs) that may suggest heart failure. The doctor may examine the veins in your neck and check for fluid buildup in your abdomen and legs.

How can you test for heart failure at home?

You can check for heart disease at home by measuring your pulse rate and your blood pressure if you have a blood pressure monitor. You can also monitor yourself for symptoms of heart disease, such as: Chest pain, pressure, discomfort, or tightness.

What are the late signs of heart failure?

Weight gain or swelling (edema) of the feet, ankles, legs, abdomen, or neck veins. Tiredness, weakness. Lack of appetite, nausea. Thinking difficulties, confusion, memory loss, feelings of disorientation.

What are the 2 cardinal symptoms of patients with heart failure?

Hickam's research in cardiac fail- ure, the physiology and pathology of the pulmonary circulation and the fac- tors controlling respiration are outstanding. THE CARDINAL symptoms of congestive failure are dyspnea, fatigue and edema.

When should you suspect heart failure?

Go to the emergency room or call your local emergency number if you have heart failure and have gained more than 5 pounds in a week. Also seek help if you can't lie flat, are short of breath at rest, have increased swelling and discomfort in the lower body, or have a constant, hacking cough.

What does heart failure feel like in a woman?

Women are slightly less likely than men to get heart failure -- when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the needs of your body. It can make you feel run down, wheezy, and swollen with fluids. It's a lifelong condition, but it can be treated and managed with the help of your doctor.

What are the warning signs your heart failure is getting worse?

Fatigue and Activity Changes

The easiest way to know that heart failure is getting worse is you're able to do less and less. People start pacing themselves. They stop doing hobbies that involve any physical activity. They used to go fishing, but not anymore.

Can heart failure symptoms come and go?

If you have heart failure, you may not have any symptoms, or the symptoms may range from mild to severe. Symptoms can be constant or can come and go. Heart failure symptoms are related to the changes that occur to your heart and body, and the severity depends on how weak your heart is.

Does EKG show heart failure?

Tests you may have to diagnose heart failure include: blood tests – to check whether there's anything in your blood that might indicate heart failure or another illness. an electrocardiogram (ECG) – this records the electrical activity of your heart to check for problems.

Can a chest xray show heart failure?

Chest X-rays are useful for diagnosing an enlargement of the heart (cardiomyopathy) or heart failure.

Will routine blood work show heart problems?

Although not specifically for heart problems, some routine blood tests can provide valuable information about your overall health — including your heart: Complete blood count, or CBC: measures levels of different components of your blood.

Can heart failure go back to normal?

Treatments. Although heart failure is a serious condition that progressively gets worse over time, certain cases can be reversed with treatment. Even when the heart muscle is impaired, there are a number of treatments that can relieve symptoms and stop or slow the gradual worsening of the condition.

Can you live a long normal life with heart failure?

It is possible to lead a normal life, even if you have Heart Failure. Understanding and taking control of Heart Failure is the key to success. Your doctor and healthcare providers will provide guidelines and a treatment plan. It is your responsibility to follow the treatment plan and manage your Heart Failure.