Do congestive heart failure symptoms come and go?

There may be times that your symptoms are mild or you may not have any symptoms at all. This doesn't mean you no longer have heart failure. Symptoms of heart failure can range from mild to severe and may come and go. Unfortunately, heart failure usually gets worse over time.
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Can you go in and out of congestive heart failure?

Symptoms can be constant or can come and go. The symptoms can include: Congested lungs. Fluid backup in the lungs can cause shortness of breath with exercise or difficulty breathing at rest or when lying flat in bed.
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What causes congestive heart failure to flare up?

Sodium causes your body to hold on to extra water. This may cause your heart failure symptoms to get worse. People get most of their sodium from processed foods. Fast food and restaurant meals also tend to be very high in sodium.
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What are the symptoms of stage 1 congestive heart failure?

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)
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Can heart failure symptoms go away?

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.
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Congestive Heart Failure: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options - St. Mark's Hospital



What are the warning signs of congestive heart failure?

Some of the signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure include:
  • Shortness of Breath. If your loved one has CHF, they may experience shortness of breath. ...
  • Fatigue. ...
  • Edema (Swelling, in the Feet, Ankles, and Legs) ...
  • Arrhythmia (Irregular Heartbeat) ...
  • Persistent Cough. ...
  • Wheezing. ...
  • Changes in Urination. ...
  • Swelling of the Abdomen.
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Do oxygen levels drop with heart failure?

With heart failure, your heart becomes a weaker pump. Over time it becomes less effective at pumping oxygen-rich blood through your body. This may cause your oxygen levels to drop. When oxygen levels drop, you may become short of breath or winded.
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How do you rule out congestive heart failure?

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  1. Blood tests. Blood tests are done to look for signs of diseases that can affect the heart.
  2. Chest X-ray. ...
  3. Electrocardiogram (ECG). ...
  4. Echocardiogram. ...
  5. Stress test. ...
  6. Cardiac computerized tomography (CT) scan. ...
  7. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). ...
  8. Coronary angiogram.
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What is considered mild congestive heart failure?

What are the symptoms of mild congestive heart failure? The patient may experience bouts of fluid retention and weight gain, shortness of breath on exertion, and decreased exercise tolerance. Some patients may have significant problems with swelling of their legs.
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What is Stage 2 congestive heart failure?

Stage II. The second stage of congestive heart failure carries some noticeable symptoms. Most commonly, they appear after physical activity. After exercise or other moderate physical exertion, patients may experience symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
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Do heart failure symptoms fluctuate?

Symptoms of heart failure can range from mild to severe and may come and go. Unfortunately, heart failure usually gets worse over time. As it worsens, you may have more or different signs or symptoms. It's important to let your doctor know if you have new symptoms or if your symptoms get worse.
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Can congestive heart failure get better by itself?

So although there is no absolute cure for heart failure, medication and lifestyle changes can prevent the condition from worsening and in certain cases, return almost regular heart function.
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Can anxiety cause congestive heart failure?

The Effect of Anxiety on the Heart

Rapid heart rate (tachycardia) – In serious cases, can interfere with normal heart function and increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Increased blood pressure – If chronic, can lead to coronary disease, weakening of the heart muscle, and heart failure.
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Can you live with mild congestive 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.
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Which are two signs of worsening heart failure?

Signs of Worsening Heart Failure
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
  • Weight gain of three or more pounds in one day.
  • Weight gain of five pounds in one week.
  • Unusual swelling in the legs, feet, hands, or abdomen.
  • A persistent cough or chest congestion (the cough may be dry or hacking)
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How long do you have after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure?

In general, more than half of all people diagnosed with congestive heart failure will survive for 5 years. About 35% will survive for 10 years. Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic, progressive condition that affects the heart's ability to pump blood around the body.
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When should you suspect heart failure?

Symptoms of heart failure

breathlessness after activity or at rest. feeling tired most of the time and finding exercise exhausting. feeling lightheaded or fainting. swollen ankles and legs.
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What is a good heart rate for someone with heart failure?

The optimal heart rate achieved appears to be between 50−60 bpm, if well tolerated as in these patients the lowest event rate is observed on treatment. Heart rate reduction is, therefore, a treatable risk factor in chronic HF.
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What is the difference between congestive and congestive heart failure?

Heart failure often refers to early-stage weakening of the heart without congestion. As the damage to the heart progresses, it causes fluid to build up in the feet, arms, lungs, and other organs, which is referred to as congestion, throughout the body. This stage of heart failure is called CHF.
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Can an EKG show congestive heart failure?

This testing also helps to determine the underlying cause of heart failure. Diagnostic tests for congestive heart failure may include: Resting or exercise electrocardiogram (also known as EKG, ECG, or stress test) Echocardiogram.
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Does congestive heart failure show up in blood tests?

Tests for 2 kinds of natriuretic peptides are currently available for the diagnosis of heart failure: BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) and pro-BNP (N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide). Blood levels of both of these substances become elevated in patients with congestive heart failure.
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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.
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How do I know if my shortness of breath is heart related?

If shortness of breath happens when you're clearly not exerting yourself, when you're doing something you normally could do without feeling winded, or comes on suddenly, those are warning signs that a heart issue could potentially be to blame.
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How do you know if your heart is not getting enough oxygen?

Neck or jaw pain. Shoulder or arm pain. A fast heartbeat. Shortness of breath when you are physically active.
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Can heart failure affect the bowels?

Some of the symptoms and treatments of heart failure may lead to bladder and bowel problems such as: frequently passing urine in the toilet (frequency) i.e. more than 8 times a day. feeling a sudden, strong desire to pass urine (urgency) leaking urine while rushing to the toilet (urge incontinence)
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