Main symptoms
The most common symptoms of heart failure are: breathlessness – this may occur after activity or at rest; it may be worse when you're lying down, and you may wake up at night needing to catch your breath. fatigue – you may feel tired most of the time and find exercise exhausting.
Stage 1 congestive heart failure
“During the first stage of congestive heart failure, you won't experience any symptoms, even during physical activity. You will be classed in stage 1 if you have cardiac disease but this is not causing you any symptoms” explains Dr Hadjiphilippou.
Puffy swelling (edema) in the legs, the feet, and the ankles may occur, particularly at the end of the day or after prolonged sitting. Often, the swelling is more noticeable in the ankles or on the lower leg in the front where the bone, the tibia, is close to the skin.
“Usually, individuals who suffer from heaviness and leg swelling make the mistake of not drinking enough water – says Dr. Marco Setti, Head of Vascular Surgery at Humanitas Gavazzeni. Instead, it is necessary to introduce fluids into the body by eating lots of vegetables and fruits as well as drinking natural water.
Blood often backs up and causes fluid to build up in the lungs and in the legs. The fluid buildup can cause shortness of breath and swelling of the legs and feet. Poor blood flow may cause the skin to look blue or gray.
Soft drinks and other sugary drinks. A 12-oz can of soda contains a shocking 10 teaspoons of sugar. Sodas, fruit juices and energy drinks are high in sugar and empty calories, and they increase your chances of gaining weight.
Some research suggests that herbal teas such as green tea may help treat clogged arteries. However, a person may need to make other dietary and lifestyle changes, as well as taking other preventive steps to prevent further plaque buildup.
Overactive Bladder is a Distress Symptom in Heart Failure.
Limit your alcohol consumption
You can usually continue to drink alcohol if you have heart failure, but it's advisable not to exceed the recommended limits of more than 14 alcohol units a week. If your heart failure is directly related to drinking alcohol, you may be advised to stop entirely.
The blood can give many clues about heart health. For one, high levels of "bad" cholesterol in the blood can be a sign of higher risk of having a heart attack. And other substances in the blood can point to heart failure or the risk of getting fatty deposits, called plaques, in the arteries.
These include thinning or grey hair, wrinkles, ear lobe crease, xanthelasmata (small, yellow deposits of cholesterol underneath the skin, usually around the eyelids) and arcus corneae (fat and cholesterol deposits that appear as a hazy white, grey or blue opaque ring in the outer edges of the cornea).
Can heart problems make you sleep a lot? As your heart works overtime, it can cause tiredness, shortness of breath and feeling worn out. These symptoms are all signs of fatigue, one of the most common symptoms of congestive heart failure.
How long can a person live with congestive heart failure? Research estimates that more than half of all people with congestive heart failure will survive for 5 years after diagnosis. About 35% will survive for 10 years.
He has done a series of experiments and studies -- in rats, then people -- which have demonstrated to his satisfaction that a high potassium intake protects against cholesterol buildup and thus helps keep animal and human arteries clear. Cholesterol-clogged arteries lead to strokes and heart attacks.
Vasodilators are medicines that open, also called dilate, blood vessels. Vasodilators affect the muscles in the walls of the arteries and veins. They prevent the muscles from tightening and the walls from narrowing. As a result, blood flows more easily through the vessels.
Most healthy people can eat up to seven eggs a week without increasing their risk of heart disease. Some studies have shown that this level of egg consumption might even help prevent certain types of stroke and a serious eye condition called macular degeneration that can lead to blindness.
Vasoconstriction: Also known as the blood vessel constrictions caused by cold water, can increase blood pressure instantly. However, it is not very concerning for healthy people, but individuals with cardiovascular risks should worry a little.
Swollen fingers with clubbing, or downturned nails, can be a sign of a lack of oxygen due to cardiac infection, heart, or lung disease. Skin that is turning blue or purple in color, especially with swelling or a mottled pattern, can indicate an underlying blood clot.
Swelling in the lower extremities can be associated with heart disease, kidney and liver disease, and in many cases, venous insufficiency, says interventional cardiologist Mohi Alkadri, MD. Venous insufficiency occurs when the valves in the veins fail to function properly, causing blood to pool in the legs.
Many people are first alerted to worsening heart failure when they notice a weight gain of more than two or three pounds in a 24-hour period or more than five pounds in a week. This weight gain may be due to retaining fluids since the heart is not functioning properly.